World No.5 Aryna Sabalenka has ended Linda Noskova's fairytale run at the Adelaide International 1, defeating the 18-year-old qualifier 6-3 7-6 (7-4) in the final.
Noskova had to save match points during qualifying just to make the main draw, and she saved a match point in her quarterfinal win over two-time grand slam winner Victoria Azarenka.
A semi-final win over world No.2 Ons Jabeur raised hopes of Noskova snaring a maiden WTA title.
But Sabalenka's greater experience and power on serve proved crucial in Sunday's final, with the No.2 seed securing the win in 103 minutes.
It was her first WTA title since beating Ash Barty on clay in Madrid in May 2021.
Sabalenka struck 17 winners to four in the first set, and won the ace count 6-0.
The crucial moment of the set came in the fifth game when Sabalenka snared the break, with the 24-year-old holding her nerve to secure the set in 37 minutes.
Noskova fought tooth and nail to stay in the match, saving break points in the second set with the scores locked at 4-4 and again at 5-5.
But two double faults in the second set tiebreak cost Noskova dearly, with Sabalenka going on to seal her 11th WTA title.
