Feature: Wang Xinyu caps "dream week" in Berlin with breakthrough final appearance

by Sportswriters Li Bowen, Wang Chunyan and Hu Jiali

BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Despite a hard-fought loss in her first-ever WTA Tour singles final, China's Wang Xinyu is leaving Berlin with a career-best result and a "dream week" to build on.

In a grueling three-set final, Wang was edged out by former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, 7-6 (10), 4-6, 6-2 in the WTA 500 Berlin Open final on Sunday, but the 23-year-old delivered a career-best performance on grass and signaled her growing presence among the game's elites.

"This week has been a dream for me. I've been playing unbelievable tennis here," Wang said.

It marked Wang's first appearance in a tour-level singles championship match after six previous attempts ended in the semifinal stage.

The journey to the final was a story of resilience and giant-killing upsets.

After navigating two rounds of qualifying, the Chinese ousted world No. 16 Daria Kasatkina in the first round, then stunned newly-crowned French Open champion and world No. 2 Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3 for her first career victory against a top-two player.

In the quarterfinals, Wang took the first set 6-1 before Paula Badosa was forced to retire due to injury. Wang's subsequent 6-4, 6-1 win over Liudmila Samsonova in the semifinals marked her fourth consecutive victory over a top-20 opponent this week.

But Wang's week almost ended before it truly began.

Behind this string of victories was a moment of doubt that almost sent her home. Wang revealed that her team had to practically force her to continue playing during that first qualifying match.

"Coming to this match [the semifinal], and coming to every match here I wasn't expecting anything. For me, it's really just to enjoy the stage. They [My team] literally pushed me back out there [in the first qualifying round]. I was walking towards the net, thinking, 'That's it, it's not my day,' but they said, 'No, no, no, get back out there and play!'" Wang said.

She got back out there, and reeled off six straight wins.

"Enjoy the match" became her mantra throughout the week. Even after the final loss, Wang was quick to focus on the positives she had built.

"People might focus more on the parts of the match where you didn't play well, and you remember the tough losses," Wang reflected. "But I have to remind myself to remember the great shots I played this week, to focus on the positive aspects, and to enjoy the upcoming tournaments."

This resilient mindset isn't new.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Wang and her mixed doubles partner Zhang Zhizhen made a surprise run to the final. The Chinese mixed doubles pair lost a nailbiter 6-2, 5-7, 10-8 to the Czech Republic's Tomas Machac and nine-time Grand Slam doubles winner and Tokyo women's doubles gold medalist Katerina Siniakova.

A day later, Wang had already come to terms with the result.

"We had many opportunities to take the lead, and we did our best in those moments. Of course, there are some regrets," she said at the time. "But looking back, I think we need to give ourselves more encouragement and affirmation."

It is this calm nature that allows Wang to take wins and losses in stride.

In her own words, it's a simple philosophy that keeps her moving forward --"If you lose a match, there's always a new opportunity next week to go chase a victory." ■