Fiona Ferro became the champion of the first professional tennis tournament in five months with victory at the WTA event in Palermo on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Frenchwoman upset world No.22 Anett Kontaveit 6-2 7-5 to claim her second career title.
Despite being unseeded and ranked outside the top 50, Ferro entered the tournament in excellent form, having won a string of matches during a series of FFT-organised exhibition events for France’s top professional players.
She then dropped just one set in her five match wins in Palermo.
"This title means a lot, especially after five tough months of practice,” she said.
“I was already feeling so happy just to be back on court and competing, so this is an even nicer way to finish the week with the win.
“I think these exhibition matches (in France) showed me how consistent and calm I can be on court. So I just tried to do that on every match, every point (in Palermo).
“Just have a good attitude also. I think it’s something that’s a little bit new for me – not to talk, not to get angry. I did it very well this week and it will be a goal for sure in the next week.”
That will be in Prague – Ferro opens against Spain’s Aliona Bolsova – as the WTA continues its clay-court swing through Europe.
The tournament is headlined by world No.2 and two-time major champion Simona Halep, who is joined by top-30 players Petra Martic, Elise Mertens, Dayana Yastremska and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Yet a more star-studded field has assembled across the Atlantic at a new tournament in Lexington, Kentucky, where several big names begin their hard-court preparations leading into the US Open.
Serena Williams heads the draw and could play Venus Williams in the second round, provided her sister beats former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka in her opener.
“It feels good to be back. I’m not sure how it feels yet to be competitive because it’s just so different," Serena said.
“I think the break was something that I just loved and needed. I’ve been training more than ever (laughter).
“(Lexington) is also a good opportunity for me to test the water a little bit.”
Whoever comes through that segment could face in the quarterfinals 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, the seventh seed.
Also appearing in Lexington will be top-four seeds Aryna Sabalenka, Johanna Konta and Amanda Anisimova, plus AO 2020 quarterfinalist Ons Jabeur and former world No.2 Vera Zvonareva, a wildcard.
Meanwhile, Alexei Popyrin – the young Aussie who has reached the Australian Open third round the past two years – is the latest to announce he will not play in the US Open.
Top 10 women’s stars Elina Svitolina and Kiki Bertens over the weekend also revealed they will not play in New York.
— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) August 7, 2020
Former champions Kim Clijsters and Andy Murray were among the main draw wildcards announced on Thursday.