Diane Parry seals WTA title breakthrough in Monterrey as last-minute decision pays off

While all the attention is on New York ahead of the US Open, the Albierto GNP Seguros in Monterrey, Mexico, has been going on this past week with players getting the final preparations in ahead of the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year. It has reached its climax with Diane Parry clinching the title in a thrilling 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 win over Elise Mertens, in a tournament that she had not originally planned to compete in.

It is a first ever WTA title for Parry in her first WTA final who continues her rise throughout the ranks. She has set herself up brilliantly for the tournament at Flushing Meadows with a brilliant momentum boost following a terrific week in Mexico.

Coming off the back of a last-16 exit in Cincinnati, Parry was one to keep an eye on, especially with huge withdrawals from the WTA 500 event only days before with the likes of Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova pulling out.

She was the one to capitalise, defeating Donna Vekic in a comeback win to kick off proceedings. She would not drop a set until the final, taking down Oleksandra Oliynykova, Clara Tauson and Ann Li to set herself up with a final clash against Mertens.

The Belgian herself was looking to clinch an 11th WTA title with the 30-year-old in a first singles final in over a year. The number two seed forced her way past Panna Udvardy, Yuliia Starodubtseva and Nikola Bartunkova with a third WTA 500 title in sight.

It was a statement start for Parry who was not affected by the occasion, sailing into a commendable 3-0 lead. Mertens eventually broke back before holding to love to level at 4-4, but Parry would strike last. She created a single set point against the serve and was clinical when converting it to lead.

Despite the second set going the way of Mertens in the form of a bagel, it still took 38 minutes to compete, showcasing it as a hard fought set despite the dominant scoreline. Mertens instantly begun with a break before Parry wasted chances to get on the board as Mertens extended her lead. She did not face a break point on serve throughout the second set, and that burden off her mind aided her approach with a second set point taken and a third set needed.

The momentum was with Mertens, but it did not show with Parry replicating her first set showing by going 3-0 to the good. She secured a double-break to go 5-1 up and move just one game away from the title.

Mertens attempted to fight back, getting one of the breaks back before a hold to love forced Parry to attempt to serve it out for a second time. This one produced a more successful result as she broke new ground with the biggest win of her life.

"I came here with almost nothing," Parry admitted after the match. It was a last-minute decision to compete in the tournament with her original plans not having travelling down to Mexico ahead of the US Open. However, she did and and it paid off.

"I didn't know what to expect for this tournament, and sometimes, that's when nice stories happen ... so I'm just supper happy and super thankful for what I lived this week." Parry will take on Viktorija Golubic in the first round of the US Open in a quick turnaround from her maiden WTA title as she gets back to business in New York. She will travel there as the World No.31, a huge new career high and a top 40 breakthrough.