Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova beats Daria Gavrilova to lift Hong Kong Open title

Pavlyuchenkova came from behind to win a typhoon-delayed marathon Hong Kong Open final 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) against Gavrilova in the early hours of Monday morning.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia returns a shot to Daria Gavrilova of Australia during the final match at the Hong Kong Open. | AP 

Daria Gavrilova of Australia returns a shot during the final match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia at the Hong Kong Open. | AP

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia reacts during the final match Daria Gavrilova of Australia at the Hong Kong Open. | AP

Daria Gavrilova of Australia returns a shot during the final match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia at the Hong Kong Open. | AP

It was three minutes past one o'clock in the morning (1703 GMT) when sixth seed Pavlyuchenkova converted the third of her match points. | AP

Daria Gavrilova of Australia reacts during the final match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia at the Hong Kong Open. | AP

Pavlyuchenkova only had herself to blame for not getting the job done earlier after racing into a 3-0 lead when the match eventually began at 9:18 pm after a near five-hour delay. | AP

Daria Gavrilova of Australia returns a shot during the final match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia at the Hong Kong Open. | AP

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia celebrates after defeated Daria Gavrilova of Australia winning the final match at the Hong Kong Open. | AP

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia poses with the trophy after defeated Daria Gavrilova of Australia winning the final match at the Hong Kong Open. | AP