Kristina Liutova, 16, captures Memphis WTA 250 title

Sixteen‑year‑old Russian Kristina Liutova won the WTA 250 Memphis Classic, defeating Czech Darja Vidmanova 1‑6, 6‑1, 6‑3 to claim her first WTA title. Liutova, ranked No. 229 before the event, became the youngest champion on the tour since Coco Gauff in 2019 and the first player born in the 2010s to win a WTA tournament. She entered the main draw through qualifying, advancing after top seed Ekaterina Alexandrova retired, and then beating Maya Joint, Caty McNally and Elvina Kalieva on her way to the final.

Vidmanova, 23, reached her maiden WTA final in Memphis after a strong run that included wins over Katie Volynets, Sloane Stephens and Marin Bassols, and a semifinal victory over Mexico’s Renata Zarazua. The Czech’s performance moved her up the rankings, putting her back into the world’s top‑100. The final highlighted a clash of experience and youth, with Liutova’s comeback after a first‑set loss underscoring her resilience and signalling a new rising star in women’s tennis.