Canadian Leylah Fernandez got off to a quick start and then had to battle to defeat Tereza Valentova of the Czech Republic 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 in the championship final of the Japan Women's Open on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old Fernandez, of Laval, Que., needed only 28 minutes to win the first set, but then needed almost two more hours to close it out as the 18-year-old Valentova found her game at the Utsubo Tennis Center in Osaka.

Fernandez finished with three aces, seven winners and only four unforced errors and two double faults. WATCH | Fernandez tops Valentova to win Japan Open:

Fernandez captures 5th WTA career title with victory at Japan Open 35 minutes ago | Duration 2:14 Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., is the champion at the Japan Open in Osaka defeating Tereza Valento

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