Cristina Bucsa Does the Double in Merdia 

28-year-old Spaniard Cristina Bucsa doubled the pleasure of winning her first WTA singles title in Merida on Sunday. 

She systematically dismantled a draw of talents, ousting Donna Vekic and former champion Zeynep Sonmez. The defining moment, however, came in the semifinals, where she notched her first career Top 10 win by outlasting Jasmine Paolini in a grueling battle of grit.

She topped it off in the final by edging Magdalena Frech, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in a hard-fought, 2-hour, 15-minute battle. 

After splittint the first two sets, Bucsa got the first break of the third and as able to hold on for the victory despite a break back by Frech to get the Pole back on serve at 4-5. The Spaniard won four of the last five points on return to clinch the title.

The celebration didn’t end with the singles crown. Shortly after, Bucsa returned to the court with Jiang Xinyu and the pair displayed seamless chemistry, dismissing Isabelle Haverlag and Maia Lumsden 6-4, 6-1 in just 61 minutes.

In addition to her eight doubles titles – including a WTA 1000 – and a bronze medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Bucsa can now call herself a WTA 500 singles champion. 

She rises to a career-high No.31 in Monday’s WTA rankings – and No. 17 in doubles.