IT was lucky number seven for Johanna Larsson this afternoon.

The 21-year-old from Sweden ended a run of six defeats in finals by racing to victory in the AEGON Pro-Series Barnstaple singles.

And she didn't stop there, following it up by claiming the doubles title with Anna Smith as well.

Number three seed Pauline Parmentier was favourite to beat the unseeded Larsson.

But she made light of the 141 places between them in the world rankings with a superb display to win 6-2, 6-2 in just 52 minutes at the Tarka Tennis Centre.

"I think I played really good tennis yesterday (in the semi-finals) and I tried to keep it up today," said Larsson.

"It feels amazing to win. Every win is even better than the last."

She had a small army of fans in the crowd of about 300, some waving homemade Swedish flags.

"It was brilliant to have the support," added Larsson. "I loved the kids with the little flags. Seeing that made me really happy when I walked out."

Larsson's all-action style endeared her to the fans and her popularity grew with three-set victories over Kristina Mladenovic and Sofia Arvidsson.

Tiring from her exertions in both singles and doubles, Larsson had lost the first set of the semi-final against Arvidsson before going for broke and taking the next two 6-0, 6-0.

And she took that momentum in today's final.

"I felt good in my body today and when it's the last day of a tournament you just want to give it your all," said Larsson.

"I didn't go for every shot today because I was not as tired as I felt yesterday, so I just tried to stay in the rallies."

Staying in a rally earned Larsson her first break point of the match in the third game. Parmentier double-faulted to hand her opponent a 2-1 lead.

It was a strangely subdued performance by the world number 124 from France, who had impressed with a straight-sets victory over top seed Ksenia Pervak in the semi-finals.

She was hurling her racquet into the ground when she slipped 0-30 down in her next service game.

Larsson's tenacity in the rallies then forced Parmentier into an error that saw her go a double break up at 4-1.

The Frenchwoman broke straight back, setting up a crucial seventh game on her own serve.

The players seemed to sense it could be a turning point in the match and the pace was raised as they reached deuce.

Parmentier put a forehand long to hand Larsson advantage, then, after drawing her opponent to the net, the Swede passed her with a superb forehand for 5-2.

By the end of the next game she had wrapped up a first-set win within half an hour.

Two slices of luck put Larsson in control in the opening game of set two.

Parmentier's second serve hit the very top of the net for 0-15, then, on break point, Larsson ended a long rally with a backhand from the baseline that teetered for a moment on top of the net before dropping on her opponent's side.

Soon 5-1 up, with one hand on the Dartington Vase, maybe Larsson's mind was wandering to the celebrations as Parmentier held to love.

But she wasn't to be denied on her own serve, moving to championship point with an ace and then firing down an unreturnable serve to complete the victory.

● See Thursday's

Journal

for more reaction and photos from the week's action at the AEGON Pro-Series Barnstaple.