Elise Mertens Dominates Inaugural Singapore Tennis Open to Claim Ninth WTA Title

Elise Mertens captured her ninth WTA singles title at the inaugural Singapore Tennis Open (STO), delivering a dominant performance against Ann Li in the final. The Belgian, seeded second, took control early and never looked back, dispatching her American opponent 6-1, 6-4 in just 82 minutes at the Kallang Tennis Hub. The victory marks Mertens’ first title since Monastir in 2023 and solidifies her standing as a consistent force on the women’s tour.

Mertens’ path to the title was defined by steady and composed play, dropping only one set throughout the tournament. In the final, she overwhelmed Li in the opening set, showcasing her tactical baseline game and relentless precision. While Li attempted a comeback in the second set, breaking back to level at 2-2, Mertens’ experience and control ultimately proved too much. As the final point was secured, the Belgian fell to the court in celebration, reveling in her latest career milestone.

In the doubles final, the American-Mexican duo of Desirae Krawczyk and Giuliana Olmos put on a thrilling display of teamwork and resilience to defeat Wang Xinyu and Zheng Saisai. After a tight opening set, which they clinched 7-5, Krawczyk and Olmos surged through the second set with a commanding 6-0 finish. The victory marks their first title together in nearly five years, a testament to their enduring chemistry on the court.

Beyond the competitive action, the STO proved to be a resounding success, drawing close to 22,000 fans across nine days. Spectators were treated to world-class tennis alongside an array of community activities, including meet-and-greets with WTA players, interactive fan engagement events, and tennis clinics led by former professionals Tamarine Tanasugarn and Yayuk Basuki. The tournament’s inaugural edition also featured the Singapore Tennis Invitational Cup (STIC), where Singapore claimed victory in a tightly contested final against Indonesia.

With its inclusion in the 2025 Hologic WTA Tour calendar and commitments to return for at least two more years, the STO has firmly established itself as a marquee event in Southeast Asian tennis. Mertens and other competitors praised the tournament’s organization and atmosphere, with the Belgian champion expressing her hope to return next year to defend her title. The success of the event signals Singapore’s growing presence in the international tennis landscape and sets the stage for even greater editions in the years to come.