The next Czech talent: Qualifier Sara Bejlek seals Abu Dhabi Open title defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova in final

Last year, Belinda Bencic scooped the Abu Dhabi Open title with a real feel good story after she returned post motherhood and this year it is a rising star who has done the business as Sara Bejlek has gone from qualifying to win the title.

It was a bit of an interesting complexion for the Abu Dhabi Open tournament as it lost Belinda Bencic early on who couldn't play with other top names including Emma Navarro being skittled out early doors meaning that it was mainly either unheralded or fringe players in the latter stages.

Case and point was Bejlek's opponent Ekaterina Alexandrova who has bounded into the top ten after years of being a middle of the road player and most of that comes down to her incredible displays in 500 tournaments.

She was perhaps the favourite as a result for the final given her title winning prowess but in all event, Bejlek didn't drop a single set all week in Abu Dhabi. She saw off Alexandrova in the final 7-6, 6-1 after seeing off Clara Tauson the round before 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.

Sonay Kartal was well beaten the round before in a 6-0, 6-2 win for her while Ostapenko was beaten 6-4, 6-3 also in the Last 16. Ashlyn Krueger was her first foe winning 6-3, 6-0 in the opening round.

But this came too after two emphatic wins in qualifying so in reality Bejlek has not only played more games than anyone else but this has come from nowhere of sorts as she has had to come through qualifying.

The 20-year-old left hander came into the tournament ranked 101 in the WTA Rankings and the former Roland Garros junior doubles champion saw her tally go to double in regards to top 20 wins in a single week after she pulled away from the second seed in one hour and 39 minutes after a tense opening foray.

While Bejlek lead for the most part, Alexandrova looked on course to be on her way back. She saved two set points in the 12th game and took a 4-2 lead at the change of ends in the tie-break. But Bejlek who won the opening set in each of her matches beforehand won five out of the final six points to take it really turning on the afterburners when she needed it most.

She surged to the win after breaking in the first game of the second set later winning 10 straight points to go from 2-1 to 5-1 in the blink of an eye. She also joins Bencic in achieving the feet of being unseeded and winning. She is the first qualifier to take it and is also the first Czech champion.

After achieving a best of top 75 in November last year, she is now on course for the top 50 next week. A truly special week for Bejlek.