Li hits new heights in Tyler as Kanepi beats Zvonareva in Turkey
USA’s Ann Li claimed the biggest title of her career to date with victory at W80 Tyler, defeating Ukrainian teenager Marta Kostyuk in the final.
Li, whose previous career high point came with victory at W25 Osprey, FL last year, saw off a spirited fightback from former ITF Junior Finals champion Kostyuk to post a 7-5 1-6 6-3 win.
“It was a really tough battle,” Li said. “Congratulations to Marta for a really good week.
“I’m looking forward to Charleston next – it was great to have some fans come out to support, so it feels really good to get the win today.”
Li’s victory builds on a promising second half to the season for the 20-year-old, who stunned compatriot Alison Riske to reach the third round of the US Open in September.
In Turkey, Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi claimed her second ITF World Tennis Tour title of the season beating Vera Zvonareva in the W25 Istanbul final, 6-3 6-3.
Ten years after their US Open quarter-final clash, top seed Kanepi turned the tables on Zvonareva, the No.7 seed and former world No.2, to go ahead in their head-to-head rivalry 2-1 as the Russian’s wait for a first professional singles title since 2017 goes on.
Elsewhere, teenagers Sebastianna Scilipoti of Switzerland, 17, and Russia’s Erika Andreeva, 16, claimed their first professional titles with victories at W15 Platja Daro and W15 Pazardzhik respectively.
There was also Swiss success at W15 Lousada in Portugal, where Susan Bandecchi beat Arianne Hartono of the Netherlands 7-6(6) 2-6 6-2 for her third career title.
Former world No.59 Alexandra Cadantu claimed her first title since 2015, and the 10th of her career, with victory over compatriot Andreea Amalia Rosca 4-6 6-3 6-3 at W15 Heraklion.
In Tunisia, Argentina’s Maria Lourdes Carle collected her second title in three weeks at W15 Monastir, defeating fellow 20-year-old Weronika Falkowska of Poland 6-4 6-3.