Belarusian Sabalenka wins first WTA title

Aryna Sabalenka has beaten Carla Suarez Navarro to win the Connecticut Open, the final WTA tune-up event before next week's US Open.

The 20-year-old Belarusian won the first five games of the match and lost just one service game on the way to a 6-1 6-4 victory on Saturday and her first WTA premier title.

Sabalenka proved far too powerful for Suarez Navarro, hitting 29 winners and dominating the Spaniard's second serve as she eased to victory in an hour and 13 minutes.

After losing her first three WTA finals, including in Lugano and Eastbourne this year, Sabalenka's drought-breaking win will result in her jumping to 20th from 25th in the world rankings.

The victory will only increase Sabalenka's status as a dark horse for the US Open and, seeded 26th, she will play her opening match on Tuesday against American Danielle Collins.

Suarez Navarro, whose second-round opponent withdrew because of illness and had opponents in the quarter-finals and semi-finals retire with injuries, completed just her second full match of the tournament.