Russia's Alisa Kleybanova defeated Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-3 to win the Korea Open Sunday. Zakopalova struggled against the powerful stroke play and serving of fifth-seeded Kleybanova, who raced to a 5-0 lead in the first set. “I am incredibly happy, and I really appreciate the Russian fans who came here this week,” said Kleybanova, who received $37,000 in prize money. “Every match is tough and the final is always a special day. I want to thank Klara for a great match and I am so happy I won this title in Seoul.” Playing in her 11th career final, Zakopalova moved into a 3-1 lead in the second set, but missed the chance to level the match. “I would like to congratulate her (Kleybanova). She played very well and she had a good tournament,” Zakopalova said. “Of course I wanted to be the winner today, but she was very good and deserves the win.” The win is the second title for the 28th-ranked Kleybanova, 21, following a win at Kuala Lumpur earlier this year. Simon wins title In France, eighth-seeded Gilles Simon of France easily beat qualifier Mischa Zverev of Germany 6-3, 6-2 Sunday to win the Open de Moselle and clinch his seventh career title. Simon, who won his last title on hard courts at Bangkok in October last year, made quick work of beating Zverev in 1 hour, 7 minutes. Kirilenko advances In Tokyo, Russia's Maria Kirilenko defeated Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1 Sunday in the first round of the $2 million Pan Pacific Open. Sanchez failed to qualify for the tournament, but was given a place in the main draw when China's Li Na withdrew with stomach pain. Kirilenko was up 5-3 in the second set and looked to be on her way to a quick win but Sanchez fought back. Kirilenko double faulted three times before Sanchez won the second set tiebreaker with an ace. After breaking Sanchez three times in the final set, Kirilenko won with a crosscourt forehand that Sanchez returned into the net. Top-ranked Serena Williams pulled out of the tournament Thursday. Defending champion Maria Sharapova, the tournament's 12th-seeded player, will face Japan's Kimiko Date Krumm Monday. In other first-round matches at Ariake Colosseum, Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova 7-5, 7-5 and Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova coasted to a 6-3, 6-3 win over Germany's Angelique Kerber. Estonian Kaia Kanepi beat Melanie Oudin of the United States 6-4, 6-4 and Andrea Petkovic of Germany downed Argentina's Gisela Dulka 6-3, 6
