Destination NBO by STM: WTA Tour goes green

Days until National Bank Open: 39

Qualifier to Queen

For the first time in 52 years, a women’s champion was crowned at the prestigious Queen’s Club in London. However, in a field that involved Top 10 players Qinwen Zheng, Madison Keys, and Emma Navarro, it was qualifier Tatjana Maria who hoisted the trophy in the end.

The 37-year-old earned four-straight Top 20 wins en route to the title, including back-to-back victories over Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Keys. The German became the first qualifier to win a WTA title since Sonay Kartal at the 2024 Jasmin Open.

Thanks to the triumph, Maria was the biggest riser in the recent rankings update, moving up 43 spots to 43rd.

Fellow qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse went on a run of her own at the Libema Open but fell short in the final against Elise Mertens. The Romanian still rose 22 spots to 58th in the rankings.

Zheng still in search of year’s first title

At the halfway point of 2025, it’s slightly hard to believe that world No. 4 Zheng has yet to win a title this year, especially considering that every other member of the Top 7 has a trophy to their name.

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Still, the Chinese No. 1 has been consistent. Coming in as the No. 1 seed at the Queen’s Club, Zheng reached her sixth quarter-final in her last seven tournaments, losing to eventual finalist Amanda Anisimova. 

Blockbusters in Berlin

As the Berlin Tennis Open gets underway, the draw has produced some very intriguing matchups. After cruising through the first round, world No. 9 Navarro and world No. 10 Paula Badosa meet in the second round. As well, Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini faces two-time All-England Club finalist Ons Jabeur.

Not to mention that both Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are in the tournament, having the potential to set up a Roland-Garros final rematch in the German capital.

Others remain in England for the Rothesay Nottingham Open as Beatriz Haddad Maia and Clara Tauson come in as the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively. Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez is also a part of the field, looking for her first-career WTA non-hard court title.

All winners from last week:

WTA 500 London

• Women’s Singles: Tatjana Maria* (1/4) d. Amanda Anisimova
• Women’s Doubles: Asia Muhammad/Demi Schuurs d. Anna Danilina/Diana Shnaider

WTA 250 ‘s-Hertogenbosch

• Women’s Singles: Elise Mertens* (2/10) d. Elena-Gabriela Ruse
• Women’s Doubles: Irina Khromacheva/Fanny Stollar d. Nicole Melichar-Martinez/Liudmila Samsonova

*(2025 titles/career titles)

The WTA's best return to Montreal this summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers July 26 to Aug. 7, 2025 at IGA Stadium. 2025 Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak