Sun Jun 15 11:24:55 2008

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Bondarenko outlasts Wickmayer in Birmingham final

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Birmingham, England (Sports Network) - Ukrainian Kateryna Bondarenko won a three-set war over Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium to win the $200,000 DFS Classic, a grass-court Wimbledon tuneup.

The 12th-seeded Bondarenko, who cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 win over New Zealander Marina Erakovic in the semifinals, needed nearly three hours to finally shake Wickmayer, 7-6 (9-7), 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), and win her first career WTA singles title at Edgbaston Priory Club.

Wickmayer, who was appearing in her first career final, had won her only previous matchup against Bondarenko, a straight set win in the Fed Cup earlier this year.

Bondarenko earned $31,000 with the win.