Ann Li wins second WTA singles title in Guangzhou, enters Top 40
Second seed Ann Li was second to none in Guangzhou, where the American swept to the WTA 250 singles title without dropping a set in five wins. The 25-year-old earned a new career-high WTA ranking of No. 33 behind her trophy run in China, having previously reached finals in Singapore and Cleveland this season.
"A second WTA title in the books. Third time's a charm this year I guess," Li wrote in an Instagram post before thanking her team, including coach Carlos Boluda. Coco Gauff, Jennifer Brady and Alison Riske-Amritraj were among those who replied to congratulate their compatriot on her victory.
Li defeated 2024 WTA Newcomer of the Year Lulu Sun, 7-6(6), 6-2, to claim the Guangzhou title on Sunday, pulling away from the former University of Texas star after a dramatic first set. The American saved five break points in the opening frame and battled back from 3-0 down in the tiebreak after missing out on four set points.
The eighth American singles champion this season on the WTA Tour, Li is the first U.S. woman to win Guangzhou since Sofia Kenin in 2019. Li improved to 2-4 in tour-level finals; she won her maiden WTA trophy in Tenerife, Spain, but lost three finals dating back to last October.
Ann Li did not lose a set on her way to the Guangzhou title. Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images.
Li will be back in action this week in China at the Jiangxi Open, where she is the No. 1 seed. She begins her campaign Tuesday against China's Bai Zhouxuan.
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