Zvonareva wins Birmingham Classic

June 19, 2006 00:12 IST

Russian Vera Zvonareva clinched her first Birmingham Classic title on Sunday by beating surprise finalist Jamea Jackson 7-6, 7-6 in a close fought match.

Unseeded American Jackson defeated world number four Maria Sharapova on Saturday, ending the Russian's bid for a third straight title at the Wimbledon warm-up event.

The grasscourt Grand Slam tournament starts on June 26.

Zvonareva, 21, was treated for a nose bleed twice in the first set. She battled through in the second to win the tie-break and to secure her first grasscourt title.

The world number 78 Russian had beaten American qualifier Meilen Tu to reach the final.

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