Hey there, fellow tennis enthusiasts It’s your girl Mia Johnson-Carter here, living the dream in Miami. I’m always on the lookout for the next big thing in tennis, and I’m excited to share with you the story of Ksenia Efremova, the 15-year-old sensation who’s making waves in the tennis world.
Ksenia Efremova has been on an incredible run, claiming her first professional title at the W15 Monastir event at the end of 2024. But that was just the beginning. She went on to clinch two more titles in Monastir this year, with her latest victory coming last week. This young gun works at the Mouratoglou Academy and has shown remarkable resilience after missing almost five months following elbow surgery. The setback didn’t halt her progress; she lifted her second Monastir title in July and completed a hat-trick last Sunday.
Efremova’s journey to success has been nothing short of remarkable. At the W15 Monastir 2024, she faced a qualifier Lauren Seye in the first round and emerged victorious with a 6-4, 6-3 win in an hour and 53 minutes. Ksenia saved six of ten break points and stole the rival’s serve seven times en route to her win. Despite squandering a 3-0 and a 4-3 advantage in the opener, she claimed it with another break in game nine and held at 30 at 5-4. In the second round, she faced Ela Nala Milic and prevailed 6-7, 6-1, 6-4 after three hours. Ksenia suffered six breaks but responded with nine return games on her tally, losing a tight opener but bouncing back in set number two.
Her path to the final wasn’t easy. In the quarter-final, she faced the 3rd seed Camilla Zanolini and scored a rock-solid 6-3, 6-2 victory in an hour and 17 minutes for a place in the last four. Ksenia lost serve once but turned half of the return points into five breaks, rattling off the final four games at 2-2 in the second set to remain on the title course. In the semi-final, she faced the top seed Luisa Meyer auf der Heide and beat the German 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and 38 minutes for a place in her third final in Monastir.
The final showdown was against Nina Radovanovic, where Ksenia ousted the 8th seed 6-1, 7-5 in two hours and one minute to wrap up a perfect week and lift a trophy. Efremova played better in the decisive moments, defending seven of nine break points and crossing the finish line with six return games on her tally. The younger player made a flying start, breaking her rival three times in the opener for 6-1. Radovanovic came from 3-0 down in the second set and served for it at 5-4. Ksenia kept her composure and broke back in game ten for more action. She held after deuces in the 11th game and delivered a crucial break in the next one to extend her streak in Monastir and lift the third consecutive trophy at this event.
This young talent is definitely one to watch as she continues to rise through the ranks. Her determination and skill are an inspiration to us all, especially in a year where women’s tennis is trending higher than ever. From Coco Gauff’s big win over Iga Swiatek at the WTA Finals to Ksenia’s impressive run in Monastir, it’s clear that this season is all about the next generation of tennis stars.
If you want, you can check out the news where I found it here.
Yours truly,
Mia
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