China's Zheng Qinwen successfully defended her Palermo clay-court title on Sunday with a three-set win over Karolina Muchova in a major confidence boost ahead of the Olympics.

Top seed Zheng, runner-up at the Australian Open earlier this year, defeated second seeded Muchova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

It is world number seven Zheng's third career title, having also won in Zhengzhou last year. (AFP)