Born on April 30, 2002, Zeynep Sonmez has emerged as one of Turkey’s rising stars in the world of professional tennis. By mid-2024, she had already climbed to a career-high ranking of No. 130 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) standings, showcasing her steady ascent on the global stage. With four singles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit under her belt, Sönmez has shown her talent and resilience. However, it was on November 4, 2024, that she achieved her biggest milestone yet, overpowering American Ann Li 6-2, 6-1 in the Mérida Open final to secure her first WTA title. This breakthrough victory catapulted her into the prestigious top 100 in the WTA rankings, marking the beginning of what might become an exciting new chapter in her career.
Zenyep Sönmez’s Path To the Final
The Turkish player’s path to the 2024 Mérida Open final was marked by a series of impressive battles. Surely, she did not get it for free as you can see below:
First Round: Defeated sixth seed María Lourdes Carlé 5-7, 6-1, 6-2
Second Round: Overcame Elsa Jacquemot 7-6(3), 6-3
Quarterfinals: Upset top seed Renata Zarazúa 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
Semifinals: Defeated Alina Korneeva 7-6(5), 6-2
Match Report of the 2024 Final in Merida
In the final, Sönmez took control from the fourth game of the first set, leveling the score at 2-2 with three consecutive aces. She then broke Li’s serve in the fifth game, taking the lead. Despite falling behind in the sixth game, Sönmez’s determination led her to win, advancing to a 4-2 lead. Capitalizing on Ann Li’s unforced errors in the eighth game, Sönmez won the first set 6-2.
In the second set, Sönmez maintained her dominance, winning 6-1 and clinching the championship. This victory makes her the second Turkish female tennis player to win a WTA singles title, following Çağla Büyükakçay eight years ago. Additionally, Sönmez’s ranking improved by 36 places, reaching a career-high of 91st in the WTA rankings.
After the match, an emotional Sönmez stated, “This was one of my biggest dreams. I’ve been working for 15 years to achieve this success. Being here now means a lot to me. I thank everyone who supported me, especially my family.”
For a visual recap of the match, you can watch the highlights below: