MEMPHIS (February 23) - Lisa Raymond captured her first title on American soil after a dramatic victory over Alexandra Stevenson in the women's final of the Kroger St. Jude in Memphis.

Raymond saved five championship points in the final set tie-break before prevailing 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(9) in 2 hours, 4 minutes to claim her third career title.

"After winning a match like that, it feels pretty awesome," said Raymond. "And to do it in front of a crowd like that is awesome. They were amazing. I haven't played in an atmosphere like that since college."

After Stevenson took the first set with her trademark big serves and punishing groundstrokes, Raymond used her serve and volley game to win the second and take the match into the deciding set.

It is there that the drama began to unfold. As Raymond broke in the opening game and held more break points for a 4-1 lead, Stevenson somehow managed to hold on to trail 3-4.

First final

Stevenson, playing in her first career final, had struggled to make any inroads on the Raymond serve up to that point, but an amazing crosscourt forehand winner brought the score back to deuce. That inspired Stevenson, who broke Raymond's serve and leveled matters at 4-4.

As the match neared the tie-break, the tension was filling the Stadium court. Raymond took the initiative, winning the first two points, but Stevenson hit back to take six of the next seven and held three match points. After Raymond saved the first two on her own serve - the second on a brave smash from a difficult lob - a forehand error from Stevenson gave Raymond a lifeline.

Raymond had to save to more match points before having one of her own at 9-8, which Stevenson saved with a backhand pass, but after a winning backhand volley by Raymond and a forehand error from Stevenson, it was all over.

"I'm happy I got to the final," said Stevenson. "We put on a good show. Obviously I would have liked to have won it, but I will take it in my stride and take it into next week."