WTA Weekly: Rakotomanga Rajaonah eclipses Tjen in Sao Paulo | Jovic wins Guadalajara | Seoul Preview

Check out our website... https://www.talking-tennis.com/ Subscribe to our podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43f2LvpQA7rxGbaRXqRMxH Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/talking-tennis/id1652349752 Amazon Music: https://podcasters.amazon.com/podcasts/1e8c717a-0be6-4145-adf5-aee32501a1ae Follow us on... Twitter: https://x.com/talkingtennis22 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkingtennis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtennistt/ Talking Tennis merchandise: https://my-store-d73955.creator-spring.com/ Rakotomanga Rajaonah eclipses Tjen in São PauloWinner: 19-year-old Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah (France) won her first WTA Tour title by defeating Janice Tjen (Indonesia) 6-3, 6-4 in the final of the SP Open (WTA 250) in São Paulo. It was the inaugural edition of the São Paulo Open, marking the WTA’s return to the city after a long absence. Rakotomanga Rajaonah was outside the top 200 before the tournament; her win vaults her up in the rankings to a career high of No. 131. Key stats/factors:She converted 4 of 8 break point chances, while Tjen managed only 2 of 10. Rakotomanga Rajaonah didn’t hit an ace in the final, and committed five double faults, but her serve percentages and second-serve resilience were strong. Tjen had a strong first-serve performance, but she struggled significantly on her second serve. Jovic wins GuadalajaraWinner: 17-year-old Iva Jovic (USA) picked up her first WTA title at the Guadalajara Open Akron (WTA 500 event), beating Emiliana Arango (Colombia) 6-4, 6-1 in the final. With this win, Jovic becomes the youngest winner on the WTA Tour this season. She had to battle in earlier rounds, including saving multiple break points and pushing through some tight matches. In the final, she dominated from the return, saved break points, and used momentum well. The victory also gives a large boost in prize money (~US$164,000) and ranking points, moving her significantly up in the race. Seoul Preview (Korea Open 2025)Here’s what to look out for as the tour shifts to Seoul:The Korea Open Tennis Championships in Seoul are a WTA 500 event, outdoor hard courts. Prize money is ~$1,064,510, and a strong field is expected. Key players / seedsIga Świątek — World No. 2, top seed; she’s making her Seoul debut. Amanda Anisimova — Seeded high; coming off strong results. Ekaterina Alexandrova — Former Seoul champion, familiar with the conditions. Clara Tauson, Daria Kasatkina, Beatriz Haddad Maia (defending champ), Emma Raducanu among others — mix of experience and rising forms. What to watch / storyline anglesWhether Świątek can break her WTA 500 title drought — she hasn’t won a 500-level since Stuttgart 2023. The defending champion Haddad Maia will be looking to defend points and maintain momentum. The wildcard entries (especially local players) might shake things up; local crowd support could matter. Rising players might use this as a springboard late in the season (for rankings, confidence, etc.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices