Liutova, 16, becomes youngest WTA champion since Gauff with Memphis title
Sixteen-year-old Kristina Liutova won the Memphis Classic in her WTA Tour debut, rallying past Darja Vidmanova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 to become the youngest WTA champion since Coco Gauff in 2019.
Kristina Liutova of Russia | © © Christopher Levy/ZUMA Press Wire/SIPA
Kristina Liutova, a 16-year-old Russian qualifier, beat Czech Darja Vidmanova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 on Sunday to win the Memphis Classic, becoming the youngest WTA titlist since Coco Gauff won Linz as a 15-year-old lucky loser in 2019. It was Liutova’s WTA Tour main draw debut.
Liutova had already become the first player aged 16 or under to reach a WTA Tour final since Gauff’s 2019 run, and she confirmed the milestone by coming from behind in the final itself, trailing 6-1, 1-1 before reeling off nine consecutive games in a finish built on four straight breaks of serve.
She reached the title match by beating top seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6 (2), 4-6, 5-4 (ret.), Australia’s Maya Joint 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, No. 6 seed Caty McNally 6-3, 6-4 and Elvina Kalieva 7-5, 6-1. Having started the season ranked No. 714, she is projected to rise to around No. 126 in the rankings on the back of the title.
The win makes Liutova the third teenager to win a WTA title this season, after Mirra Andreeva and Lilli Tagger, and the first player to win a title in her WTA main draw debut event since Maria Timofeeva at 2023 Budapest.
Vidmanova, ranked No. 114, reached the final by beating Mexico’s Renata Zarazua 6-3, 6-3, American Katie Volynets 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1, former US Open finalist Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-4 and Spain’s Marina Bassols Ribera 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
