Ashland — Ahead or behind, Varvara Lepchenko can hammer shots from the baseline all day long.

The 22-year-old left-hander with a blue-collar work ethic shrugged off a first-set loss and defeated Carly Gullickson 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 Sunday afternoon for the championship of the $50,000 Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital Tennis Classic.

“I just keep fighting,’’ an emotional Lepchenko said afterwards. “It was a long week for me. I tried to go hard and give all my energy.’’

Runner-up here last year to Melinda Czink of Hungary, Lepchenko was determined to take the next step.

“I had big desire to win. There was pressure on my shoulders,’’ Lepchenko said after securing her first title of the season.

Last September, Lepchenko led 4-2 in the third set on the same court at the Ashland Tennis Center. But Czink won the next four games to take the match.

“I didn’t pull it through last year,’’ Lepchenko said. “I was really disappointed I didn’t make it happen.’’

This time, she came through in a big way. After overcoming a three-game deficit in the first set only to lose 7-5, Lepchenko kept pounding away and won 10 consecutive games to seize control of the match.

Afterwards, she slapped hands with her father/coach Peter Lepchenko and kissed his cheek.

“Congratulations to my dad,’’ said Lepchenko, looking over at the stands during the awards ceremony. “We did it. Driving with me, supporting me all week, I can’t thank him more.’’

Lepchenko also expressed gratitude for the week-long hospitality of their host family, Dr. Mike and Dana Goodwin of Bellefonte.

For the first time in the tournament’s five-year history, two U.S. residents met in the singles final.

Lepchenko, a native of Uzbekistan, has been living in the United States since 2001 and gained her citizenship last year.

Gullickson, who resides in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., won four of the first five games including one that lasted 18 points. Lepchenko, ranked 159th, battled back and tied it 5-5, but Gullickson regrouped to win back to back games and close out the set.

“I thought I played well early,’’ said Gullickson, 21. “I got a little tired after that and (Lepchenko) came out in the second set with a different game plan. She started attacking more, stepping in on the ball. I wasn’t being aggressive.’’

Lepchenko got on a roll to start the second set. She lost only seven points in the first five games, then proceeded to win the next five games as well for a 4-0 advantage in the third set.

“I calmed myself down in the second and third sets and was really focused,’’ said Lepchenko, whose victory was worth $7,500. “I went into the zone. She started to miss some shots, and it was a sign for me that she was tired.’’

Gullickson — also runner-up in doubles with Julie Ditty — and Lepchenko each battled through a pair of three-set matches on their way to the singles final.

“It’s been a good week,’’ said Gullickson, who stayed with the Ditty family during her first appearance in the OLBH Tennis Classic. “I had so much fun. Hopefully I will be back next year.’’

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@

dailyindependent.com.



or (606) 326-2671.