Russia’s Daria Kasatkina beat Shelby Rogers 6-7 (2-7) 6-1 6-2 to win the Silicon Valley Classic in California.
It is the first title of the 25-year-old since coming out as gay last month in an interview criticizing her country’s stance on homosexuality and calling for an end to the war in Ukraine.
Homosexuality is not illegal in Russia, but the spread of “gay propaganda” among minors and homophobia is widespread.
Kasatkina praised her team’s support.
“Thank you for always being there for me – in good times and in bad times,” he said.
“Thank you for always supporting me, and sometimes arguing with me, but only to help me – I love you guys.”
Kasatkina’s win over American world number 30 Rogers is her first WTA Tour title of the year and the fifth of her career.
The new world number nine, who reached the semi-finals of the French Open but missed out on Wimbledon due to the ban on Russian players, returns to the top 10 for the first time since 2019.
