Stefanini hits back from US Open loss with biggest ITF triumph yet | ITF

Stefanini hits back from US Open loss with biggest ITF triumph yet

Jamie Renton

05 Sep 2022

Lucrezia Stefanini bounced back from US Open disappointment in style by collecting the biggest title of her career on the ITF World Tennis Tour at W60 Collonge-Bellerive.

The 24-year-old Italian’s bid to play in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time ended in a swift 6-2 6-0 defeat to Misaki Doi in the opening round of the qualifying event in New York, but she was quick to put that loss behind her on the Swiss clay last week.

Stefanini was leading Sinja Kraus 6-2 2-1 when the Austrian had to retire from their title match – handing the Italian her sixth ITF singles crown and her first above W25 level.

Meanwhile, there was also a maiden W60 triumph on Sunday for Reka Luca Jani, whose 25th ITF singles title at W60 Prague was her first above W25-level.

The 31-year-old Hungarian defeated German Noma Noha Akugue 6-3 7-6(4) for her biggest success yet, having lost twice before in W60 finals – falling in the title match in Zagreb in 2019, and again earlier this year.

Hungary could also celebrate another victory for an emerging prospect, with 18-year-old Natalia Szabanin winning her third title of the year on the ITF World Tennis Tour.

The former junior world No. 8 saw off Croatian Tena Lukas 7-5 6-3 in the final at W25 Vienna to add to her clay court victories at W25 Den Haag and W25 Prokuplje earlier this year.

Her first pro tournament victories are a sign of a strong transition from the junior game, and come relatively soon after she picked up titles at the prestigious junior events J1 Salinas and J1 Porto Alegre last year.

W60 Montreux is the highlight of the ITF World Tennis Tour this week. Follow the latest live stream, scores and results here.

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