TASHKENT, Oct 5, 2008 (AFP) - Romanian Sorana Cirstea secured her first ever WTA title after beating Sabine Lisicki of Germany in the final of the 145,000-dollar Tashkent Open on Sunday.

Cirstea, the third seed, battled back from a set down to beat fourth seed Lisicki 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) in two hours seven minutes in their first head-to-head clash on the hard court of the Dynamo tennis stadium.

Both teenagers were playing their first ever WTA final and it was the 19-year-old Lisicki who looked slightly more confident from the start, breaking twice in the opening set to take it in just 24 minutes.

Cirstea, 18, responded by breaking immediately in the second set and kept her lead through to level the score at one set all.

A tighter third set saw Cirstea secure her maiden WTA crown after dominating the tiebreak.

'I'm happy to win my first title here. It's amazing!' Cirstea said. 'I like the tournament and the city very much and will definitely come here next year to defend my title.'

Cirstea received a silver trophy and a 22,900 dollar prize check, while runner-up Lisicki pocketed 12,450 dollars. Both finalists were awarded also with traditional Uzbeki robes embroidered with gold.