Watson beats Chang in Japan Open final

Unseeded Heather Watson of Britain captured the first WTA title of her career on Sunday with a victory over Kai-Chen Chang of Taiwan in the final of the Japan Open. Watson beat Chang 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (4) in a hard-fought battle that lasted 3 hours, 11 minutes. The 20-year-old Watson broke the unseeded Chang four times in the opening set while overcoming losing her own serve three times. Chang responded in the second set, breaking Watson three more times, to square the match. Chang, who beat top-seeded Sam Stosur of Australia in the semifinals on Saturday, struggled with her serve at times, committing seven double faults in the contest. Watson ousted local favorite Misaki Doi in the semis. Both players were participating in their first WTA Tour final.