ALLEN, Texas (Kyodo) -- Wakaba Higuchi picked up her first career Grand Prix figure skating title Saturday, leading a one-two finish for Japan at Skate America.

The 23-year-old, who was fourth after Friday's short program, scored 130.81 points in the free skate for a total of 196.93, edging her compatriot Rinka Watanabe by 1.71 in the Grand Prix season opener in Allen, Texas.

"I'm surprised that I was able to win in the Grand Prix series for the first time," Higuchi said. "Two weeks later in France, I'll try to perform better and stand on the podium again."

Overnight leader Isabeau Levito of the United States finished third with 194.83 after her free skate score was the fifth-highest of the day.

It was a big night for Japan as Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara claimed their fourth Grand Prix pairs victory after placing first in both the short program and free skate for a total of 214.23 points.

In the men's short program, host country favorite Ilia Malinin earned 99.69 points to hold a slim lead of 0.15 over Japan's Kao Miura, who eclipsed his personal best. Georgia's Nika Egadze had 93.89 for third.