Dutchwoman Rus wins first WTA Tour title at 32, dedicates victory to her late father

Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus secured her first WTA Tour title at the age of 32 as she beat German wildcard and Tur debutant Noma Noha Akugue 6-0, 7-6 (3) to win the Hamburg Open at Am Rothenbaum on Saturday afternoon.

A serial winner on the ITF circuit, Rus stormed through the first set and held her nerve in the second to clinch the title in what was her first WTA Tour final.

The victory means she will climb to a career-high ranking of No 42 when the rankings are updated on Monday.

“I was very nervous all day long,” Rus said, quoted by the WTA Tour. “But I’m happy that I could play good tennis and it was a great final from both of us [with] a lot of spectators and a very good atmosphere.

“I’m very proud of myself that after so many years, I made my first title.” 

Dedicates trophy to her late father

The victory was somewhat bittersweet for Rus, who lost her father earlier this year. His loss has given her added motivation to succeed, though, and she made a point of dedicating the trophy to him after her win.

Arantxa Rus dedicated her first ever WTA title to her dad, who passed away earlier this year:

“I’d like to give the trophy to my dad”

She made him proud. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/jVLo6qoHA2

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 29, 2023

Akugue won just 12 points in the first set but picked up her level in the second, saving two match points at 5-4 as she forced the set to a tiebreak.

But Rus established an early advantage and finished things off when an attempted drop shot from Akugue fell just short.

FIRST-EVER HOLOGIC WTA TOUR TITLE 🏆✨

Arantxa Rus completes her dream week in Hamburg! #HamburgOpen pic.twitter.com/MoNdJ5Psww

— wta (@WTA) July 29, 2023

Ahead of her victory, Rus, ranked No 60, beat Russian Maria Timofeeva (6-2, 4-6, 6-1), Argentinian Nadia Podoroska (6-3, 3-6, 7-5), German Eva Lys (6-2, 6-2) and Australian qualifier Daria Saville (2-6, 6-3, 6-1).

Noha Akugue, ranked No 207, beat Brazilian Laura Pigossi (7-5, 6-4), Australian Storm Hunter (0-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4), Italian Martina Trevisan (5-7, 6-4, 7-5) and Russian Diana Shnaider (6-3, 6-3) earlier in the tournament.