Robson is edged out in China climax by Hsieh

The 18-year-old looked set to lose in straight sets but saved five match points and then went 3-0 up in the decider only for world No 53 Hsieh to fight back and win 6-3 5-7 6-4 in hot and humid conditions in China.

Robson was not even born the last time Britain had a singles finalist – Jo Durie in 1990 – but Sara Gomer’s reign as the last British winner in 1988 remains.

It has nevertheless been a brilliant week for Robson, who has built on her superb run to the fourth round of the US Open and will climb into the world’s top 70 for the first time today.

The British No 1 beat three top-50 players on her way to the final, and she made the perfect start with a break of serve in the third game, Hsieh having difficulties to dealing with the teenager’s powerful attack.

But the player from Chinese Taipei is a wily opponent and, with Robson struggling for consistency on her serve and forehand, Hsieh quickly wrapped up the set.

Robson responded by winning the first two games of the second set only for Hsieh to hit back with another run of four straight games as Robson dug deep to save five match points on her serve at 3-5 before winning seven games in a row to level the match and move 3-0 up in the decider.

Hsieh was not finished, though, and for the third time in the match she put together a run of five straight games on her way to victory.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga retained his Moselle Open title with a dominant win over Andreas Seppi, 6-1 6-2 in just 50 minutes.

Caroline Wozniacki earned her first WTA tour title of the season with a crushing victory over Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi in the final of the Korea Open 6-1 6-0.