French teenager Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah captured her first WTA title in São Paulo, defeating Janice Tjen 6-3, 6-4 in 1 hour and 22 minutes to win the singles trophy. In doubles, Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani prevailed in a tightly contested final to claim the championship.
Breakthrough Performances in Brazilian Tennis
Tjen’s run in Brazil marked a significant breakthrough. She reached her first tour-level semifinal by winning 12 of the last 14 games against Alexandra Eala, becoming the first Indonesian player to make a WTA semifinal since Angelique Widjaja in 2002. Tjen then advanced to her maiden final with a 7-6(0), 6-3 victory over Francesca Jones. Rajaonah also entered the title match as a first-time finalist after a straight-sets win over Renata Zarazua.
In Guadalajara, the tournament will crown a new champion, with Emiliana Arango set to face Iva Jovic in the final at the WTA 500 event. The week produced a wave of new faces deep in the draw, as Jovic, Elsa Jacquemot, and Nikola Bartunkova all reached their first WTA semifinals. Bartunkova’s surge included a straight-sets win over defending champion Magdalena Frech.
The top two seeds exited early in Mexico. Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova were both upset, falling to Jacquemot and Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva, respectively. Former Grand Slam champion Sloane Stephens returned to competition for the first time in nearly seven months but was eliminated by Italy’s Lucrezia Stefanini, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, in a match completed over two days.
The recent tournaments showcase the exciting new talent emerging in women’s tennis, highlighting the competitive nature of the WTA circuit. Keep an eye on these young athletes as they continue to make their mark in the world of tennis.