OSAKA, Japan — Third-seeded Samantha Stosur of Australia earned her first WTA singles title on Sunday with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Italy's Francesca Schiavone at the Japan Women's Open.

The 15th-ranked Stosur broke Schiavone to go up 3-1 in the second set and dominated the fourth-seeded player the rest of the way to close out the match in 1 hour, 8 minutes for her first victory in six WTA Tour singles finals.

"I played very well in the first set and barely made a mistake. I was still playing well in the second and nearly led 4-1, but she got back into the match," Stosur said. "I just told myself not to panic, keep doing the same things as I did in the first set and stay positive .... Obviously I'm pleased to bring it back and close it out."

Stosur has won her last four of five matches against Schiavone, all in straight sets. Two of those wins came this year, at Indian Wells and the French Open.

Before Sunday's victory, the Australian's best result this year was runner-up to Ana Ivanovic of Serbia at Los Angeles in August. Stosur has won 22 WTA doubles titles and four ITF titles.

Schiavone has one win from 11 tournament finals.