Photograph: WTA
Budapest, Hungary
[Q] Bernarda Pera (USA) def Aleksandra Krunic (SER) 6-3, 6-3
27-year-old American Bernarda Pera has won her maiden WTA singles title and first singles title at any level since 2019.
Pera, who has enjoyed more success on the doubles court over the past two years, entered the event in Budapest as a qualifier before ultimately taking home the trophy.
The American stormed through her two qualifying matches, dropping just five games en route to the main draw.
Pera’s dominant form then continued as she moved through the main draw without dropping a set with wins over top ten seeds Bondar and Sasnovich.
Her semi-final triumph over ninth seed Anna Bondar broke Pera’s 0-4 record at the penultimate stage of WTA events, allowing her to reach a maiden WTA final.
In converting a maiden final into a maiden title, Pera was overjoyed with her week in Hungary.
“It’s still so overwhelming…I’m still a little bit shocked how it turned out, but I felt I played some good tennis and I’m so excited for the win.”
The 27-year-old has now risen almost 50 places in the WTA rankings, putting herself back inside the top 100 at world number 81.
Lausanne, Switzerland
Petra Martic (CRO) def [Q] Olga Danilovic (SER) 6-4, 6-2
After more than a decade on the professional tennis tour, perseverance has paid off for Petra Martic, who claimed her second career WTA title and first since 2019.
31-year-old Martic entered the event unseeded but scored major victories over the second, fifth, and sixth seeds on her way to the final.
The Croatian enjoyed a more comfortable win in the final, defeating up-and-coming, 21-year-old Olga Danilovic, who was contesting her first WTA title in four years.
After having endured a difficult year on the court leading up to Wimbledon, Martic was ecstatic with her week and revealed her emotions post-match.
“It’s hard to describe how I feel now…it’s just nothing short of amazing.”
Martic, who was nearing a fall outside the WTA top 100 for the first time since 2017, has now ensured her place inside it, with a new ranking of 55.