Bolsova returns to the Top 200 after ending four-year title wait
Aliona Bolsova took a positive step towards recapturing her former heights after winning her biggest title yet on the ITF World Tennis Tour on Sunday.
The 24-year-old Spaniard claimed her first singles title in over four years on Serbian clay at W60 Vrnjacka Banja, defeating Slovenian Nina Potocnik 7-5 6-1 in the final for her seventh professional singles crown and first above W25 level.
Bolsova, who ranked as high as No. 88 in the world back in July 2019, had slipped outside of the WTA’s Top 200 this year but climbs back to No. 189 as a result of this weekend’s triumph.
While her singles ranking may have suffered in recent years, Bolsova has been particularly impressive in doubles – winning WTA 125K titles in Bucharest and Valencia in 2022 either side of a victory at W60 Amstelveen, moving her up to a career-high No. 65 in the world in the team discipline.
Meanwhile, three women won their maiden titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour this weekend:
Liv Hovde (USA)
In just her sixth professional tournament, and first event appearance earned by right rather than as a wildcard, the 16-year-old junior Wimbledon champion claimed her first ITF women’s singles title at W15 Lubbock, Texas. The current junior world No. 4 showed maturity beyond her years in winning 10 consecutive sets, including two bagels, at the tournament, defeating Canadian Carson Branstine in the final.
Discover more about Hovde in our latest 'get to know' feature here
Nadine Keller (SUI)
The 22-year-old Swiss ended a four-match losing streak on ITF World Tennis Tour to win her first professional singles title at W15 Monastir. She struck it third time lucky in final matches, having finished runner-up at W15 Sao Paulo and W15 Casablanca earlier this year.
Maria Garbiela Rivera Corado (GUA)
The 20-year-old Argentine reached her first professional singles final on the ITF World Tennis Tour and didn't have to wait too long to complete the job, with American opponent Salma Ewing having to retire after just seven games of the title match. Rivera Corado is looking to build on a good junior career that took her to No. 35 in the world in the girls’ rankings in 2018.
Discover all the title winners from the ITF World Tennis Tour this weekend here