Polona Hercog rallies to defend Bastad title

Slovenia's Polona Hercog rallied from a set down to defeat French hope Mathilde Johansson and successfully defend her title at the Swedish Open here on Sunday.

Sweden-born Johansson had been hoping to lift her first title in the country of her birth, but despite a bright start, she fell 0-6, 6-4, 7-5 to 21-year-old Hercog, ranked three places below her at world number 86.

Hercog overcame early nerves to win the first four games of the second set and held on for a second career title after winning on her debut here last year.

Johansson lacked consistency, twice losing games where she lead 0-40 in the second and third sets, and gifted Hercog a 4-1 lead in the final set by double-faulting.

The French player fought back to make it 5-5 but then immediately dropped her serve, and the accumulation of unforced errors was ultimately to cost her a maiden title.