June 22, (THEWILL) – Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova defeated Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu 7-6(10) 4-6 6-2 in Sunday’s Berlin WTA final, marking her first tournament victory since her 2023 All England Club triumph.
The Czech player’s demanding three-set battle against the debutant finalist marked her return to competitive form following extensive rehabilitation from shoulder surgery.
The 25-year-old’s ranking plummeted from sixth to 164th during her prolonged absence from professional tennis due to a left shoulder injury that required surgical intervention in 2024.
Her Berlin success represents only her third WTA tour title and first final appearance since defeating Ons Jabeur in straight sets at Wimbledon two years prior.
Wang’s maiden final appearance pushed Vondrousova to her limits across two hours and forty-three minutes of court time.
The Chinese player, who entered the tournament through qualifying rounds, forced a deciding set after claiming the second 6-4, but ultimately succumbed to Vondrousova’s experience in the crucial moments of the third set.
Monday’s updated WTA rankings will see Vondrousova climb 91 positions to 73rd in the world following her Berlin triumph.
This dramatic improvement arrives with perfect timing, given Wimbledon’s commencement on June 30, where she will attempt to re-enact her 2023 win as a dangerous unseeded floater capable of troubling higher-ranked opponents.
The Tokyo Olympics silver medallist’s emotional collapse on court after match point reflected the significance of her comeback victory.
With the grass-court season beginning in earnest, Vondrousova’s Berlin form suggests she could mount a serious contention for the Wimbledon crown despite her current ranking position and recent injury struggles.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
