Mladenovic wins first title in Russia

Kristina Mladenovic has won her first WTA title following a three-set win over Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva in St. Petersburg.

France's Kristina Mladenovic has won her first WTA title, claiming the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy. (AAP)

France's Kristina Mladenovic won her first WTA title, beating Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan in the final of the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy.

Mladenovic had lost her three previous career finals, but the hard-fought 6-2 6-7 (7-3) 6-4 victory over Putintseva ensured she finally got off the mark.

Putintseva seemed to have momentum in her first final after winning the second-set tiebreak after poor serving by Mladenovic but the French player hit back hard in the decider.

The win caps a strong tournament for Mladenovic, who showed her talent with convincing straight-sets wins over Venus Williams and defending St. Petersburg champion Roberta Vinci in the earlier rounds.