WTA Merida: Jiang Xinyu Claims Highest-Level Title, Helps Bucsa Achieve Double Crown in a Day

On March 2 local time, Spanish player Bucsa defeated Frech 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in the WTA Merida women's singles final. She triumphed in this lengthy three-set contest of 2 hours and 15 minutes to claim her maiden WTA Tour singles title.

Bucsa Wins First WTA Singles Title Without Dropping a Set

Bucsa's first title is of substantial quality. She started by defeating Paris Olympic singles silver medalist Vekic in straight sets in the first round, then ousted former tournament champion Schmiedlova in the quarterfinals. Furthermore, she secured a straight-sets victory over top seed Paolini in the semifinals, marking her first-ever win against a top-ten player.

This championship holds significant meaning for Bucsa. After over a decade as a professional tennis player, she finally captured her first Tour-level singles title at the age of 28. In recent years, her strength and talent in doubles have been widely recognized, including winning the WTA 1000 Madrid women's doubles title and a Paris Olympic women's doubles bronze medal in 2024. However, a breakthrough in singles had remained elusive. With the Merida title, her world ranking is set to rise to a new career-high of No. 31.

Bucsa's Path to the Title

First Round: 6-3, 6-2 vs Vekic

Second Round: 7-6(1), 6-3 vs Stakusic

Quarterfinal: 6-3, 6-4 vs Schmiedlova

Semifinal: 7-5, 6-4 vs Paolini [1]

Final: 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 vs Frech

Profile Image of Jiang Xinyu

In the subsequent doubles final, after a brief adjustment, Bucsa returned to the court. Partnering with Chinese player Jiang Xinyu, they defeated Havlickova/Lumsden 6-4, 6-1 to claim the trophy. Bucsa swept both titles at this event, while Jiang Xinyu secured the highest-level doubles championship of her career, which is also her seventh doubles title.

(Text/Editor: Wang Fei, Image/VCG)