Lulu Sun celebrating a tournament win in China which will boost her ranking to near 125. Photo: Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse/Photosport
Kiwi tennis No.1 Lulu Sun is getting back on track, after a ranking plummet to near 150 in the world.
Sun has won the WTA Tour 125-level tournament in China, beating local favourite Ma Ye-Xin 6-4 6-2 in the final at Jingshan.
At the semi-final stage, Sun defeated rising star Alexandra Eala of the Philippines.
The Kiwi fought back, after dropping the first set against Eala, to take the match in three sets in a major confidence boost.
Eala, 20, is ranked No.58 and is touted as one of the newcomers to watch on the women's tour.
As well as the 125 ranking points Sun receives from winning the tournament, she also picks up US$22,730 (NZ$39,373) in prizemoney.
The title victory will lift Sun's ranking from 146 up to about 125.
Sun will play next week in Suzhou, China. She is also confirmed to play in front of home fans at Auckland's ASB Classic in January.
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