WTA News: Redemption in Mumbai and Home Glory in Cluj-Napoca

WTA News: Redemption in Mumbai and Home Glory in Cluj-Napoca

The WTA tour delivered high-stakes drama this weekend as veteran stars and rising prospects alike claimed silverware across the globe. From a dominant homecoming in Romania to a breakthrough maiden title in India, here are the headlines from the courts.

Mumbai Open: Sawangkaew Finds Redemption

Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew clinched her maiden WTA 125 title on Sunday at the L&T Mumbai Open, defeating 17-year-old Austrian sensation Lilli Tagger in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.

For the 23-year-old Sawangkaew, the victory was particularly sweet. After finishing as the runner-up in Mumbai last year, she returned to the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association with a clinical focus. Despite a tense opening set, Sawangkaew broke through at 4-4 and never looked back, sealing the match in one hour and 25 minutes.

• Winner’s Prize: $15,500 and 125 ranking points.

• Doubles Note: Elena Pridankina successfully defended her doubles title, this time alongside partner Polina Iatcenko, defeating Sawangkaew and Nicole Fossa Huergo in a match tie-break.

Transylvania Open: Cirstea Rules Her Home Soil

In what she has signaled may be her final season on the WTA Tour, 35-year-old Sorana Cirstea gave her fans in Cluj-Napoca a performance for the ages. The Romanian veteran dismantled top-seeded Emma Raducanu 6-0, 6-2 to lift the Transylvania Open trophy.

Cirstea was unstoppable throughout the week, winning the title without dropping a single set. In the final, she won the first eight games of the match, overwhelming Raducanu—who was competing in her first final since the 2021 US Open and battling a chest infection—in just over an hour. An emotional Cirstea celebrated her fourth career title on court, presented the trophy by former world No. 1 and fellow countrywoman Simona Halep.

Collegiate Spotlight: ITA Indoors Semifinals

The college tennis world turns its eyes to Evanston, Illinois, tonight for the ITA National Team Indoor Championship semifinals.

The No. 2 Texas A&M Aggies are set to clash with the No. 10 Ohio State Buckeyes at 6:30 p.m. Texas A&M enters the match with a perfect 3-0 all-time record against the Buckeyes, but Ohio State is riding high after a massive 4-2 upset over No. 1 seed North Carolina. The winner will advance to Tuesday’s final to face either No. 1 Georgia or No. 4 Auburn.