Farina Elia wins first title

Farina Elia recovered after a poor second set

Italy's Silvia Farina Elia defeated Germany's Anke Huber in the Strasbourg Open final to claim her first singles title.

Eighth-seeded Farina Elia, 29, overcame a loss of form in the second set to win the match 7-5 0-6 6-4.

The victory was another major boost to the Italian, ranked 28th in the world, ahead of the French Open.

In Friday's semi-finals, she beat Nathalie Tauziat, whom she will face in the opening round at Roland Garros.

Huber heartbreak

Farina Elia has never advanced past the third round in a Grand Slam event.

Huber, 25, finished runner-up for the second time this year. She lost to France's Amelie Mauresmo in the final of the Gaz de France in Paris last February.

She has not won a title since last July.

The defeat was only Huber's second loss to Farina Elia in eight meetings. The Italian won their last match in the fourth round at Indian Wells last March.