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.
Related Articles
-
![Visit the Antonius makes ITF history page]( "Michael Antonius at the 2025 US Open. Photo by Brad Penner/USTA.")
Antonius makes ITF historyMarch 26, 2026Michael Antonius, 16, became the youngest American on record to win an ITF title with his victory at the USTA Pro Circuit event in Bakersfield, Calif. Read More -
![Visit the Korda upsets Alcaraz page]( "Sebastian Korda celebrates his Miami win against Carlos Alcaraz. Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images.")
Korda upsets AlcarazMarch 23, 2026Sebastian Korda defeated reigning US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz in three sets at the Miami Open, earning his first win against a world No. 1. Read More -
![Visit the Jovic's BJK Cup debut page]( "Ashlyn Krueger at Indian Wells 2026. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images.")
Jovic's BJK Cup debutMarch 12, 2026Iva Jovic, Hailey Baptiste, McCartney Kessler and Nicole Melichar-Martinez will represent the U.S. vs. Belgium in their 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifying tie, April 10-11 on indoor red clay in Ostend, Belgium. Read More
Sign up for our Newsletter
Download the USTA App
