Ann Li finally has her moment again. The American captured her first WTA title since 2021, defeating New Zealand’s Lulu Sun in straight sets to win the Guangzhou Open — ending a four-year wait and sealing a long-awaited return to the winner’s circle.
It had been a journey defined by near-misses. Li fell short in two finals earlier this season — losing in Singapore to Elise Mertens and in Cleveland to Sorana Cirstea, both in straight sets. Even last year, she was routed in the Merida Open final by Zeynep Sonmez. Since her breakthrough victory at the Tenerife Ladies Open in 2021, when she beat Camila Osorio 6-1, 6-4, the titles had dried up — until now.
This win in Guangzhou not only breaks that streak but also propels her to a career-high No. 33 in the world rankings, marking her best position yet.
Relief and Renewal After Four Years of Frustration
For Li, the victory carries deep emotional weight. After three lost finals and countless setbacks, she finally found closure. Her last brush with a trophy came at the 2021 Grampians Trophy, where she shared the title with Anett Kontaveit after the final was cancelled — an unsatisfying conclusion for a player hungry to earn it outright.
The opening set turned into a nerve battle, with both players squandering all ten break chances before Li seized control in the tiebreak. Her precision and composure under pressure tilted the momentum her way.
Relive the tiebreak between Lulu Sun & Ann Li
| Tiebreak Score | Server | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|
| 1–0 | Ann Li | Li loses opening serve |
| 2–0 → 3–0 | Lulu Sun | New Zealand’s Sun consolidates to 3–0 |
| 3–1 → 3–2 | Ann Li | Li steadies on serve |
| 3–3 → 4–3 | Lulu Sun | Sun loses first serve, then holds |
| 4–4 → 5–4 | Ann Li | Li holds, then loses serve |
| 5–5 → 5–6 (SP) | Lulu Sun | Sun loses both serves; Li earns 1st Setpoint at 6–5 |
| 6–6 | Ann Li | Li fails to convert SP on serve |
| 6–7 (SP) | Ann Li | Li holds for 2nd SP |
| 6–8 | Lulu Sun | Sun loses serve; Li converts 2nd SP on return and wins the breaker |
Ann Li Sails Away
The second set brought a shift in tempo. Li broke early, guarded the lead, and showed a champion’s instinct when Lulu Sun threatened a comeback. Another timely break sent her ahead 5-1, and from there, she never looked back. Serving out the match at 5-2, she closed with authority — and a long exhale of relief.
New Zealand’s Lulu Sun sank into her chair in disbelief. The sting of that lost 3–0 lead in the tiebreak was still sinking in. She had fought her way from the qualifying rounds all the way to the final — but at the last hurdle, the dream slipped through her fingers.
A Statement of Resilience
Four years after her last title, America’s Ann Li stood tall once more — this time as the Guangzhou Open champion and one of the WTA’s quiet comeback stories of 2025. Her patience, persistence, and renewed confidence have carried her back into the top tier.
It wasn’t just a win; it was redemption. And for Ann Li, that’s the sweetest victory of all.