Alexandra Vagramov ensured that the Odlum Brown VanOpen had a Canadian champion in pro tennis’ return to Vancouver. The New Westminster, BC-native partnered with American Caroline Dolehide to get by the top-three seeds en route to the duo’s biggest doubles title.
The Canadian-American duo began with an upset over Alexandra Osbourne and Hong Yi Cody Wong, beating the No. 3 seeds in straight sets. Vagramov and Dolehide then conceded just three games against Sabastiani Leon and Ellie Schoppe to reach the semifinals.
The pair later made the final via a walkover as top-seeds Harriet Dart and Priscilla Hon withdrew.
Vagramov and Dolehide lost their first set of the event against No. 2 seeds Anna Rogers and Allura Zamarripa in the title match, sending the final to a decisive tiebreaker. The Canadian-American team pulled away late as they won the last four rallies to secure the title 6-1, 3-6, 10-6.
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The women’s singles final featured an all-Australian clash between Taylah Preston and Maddison Inglis. The third-seeded Preston won the opener in a tight opening-set tiebreaker before breaking back-to-back times in the second on her way to her first WTA 125 title.
ATP Challenger
J.J. Wolf was crowned an ATP Challenger champion for the eighth time following his Vancouver triumph.
The American, who used his protected ranking for the event, opened with a win over No. 9 seed Zhizhen Zhang and cruised past compatriot Tyler Zink in his next match to reach the quarters. Wolf then earned back-to-back victories over Japanese players to make the final, competing for his first title at an ATP Challenger event or higher since the 2022 Firenze Open (ATP 250), where he lost to Félix Auger-Aliassime.
No. 8 seed Mark Lajal joined Wolf in the final after beating Canadian Keegan Rice in the semis but was no match for the American as he lost 7-5, 6-1.
In doubles, No. 2 seeds Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow dropped just one set in their four matches en route to the winner’s circle, beating fellow Americans Daniel Milavsky and Braden Shick in two tiebreakers for the title.
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Feature Photo: Sarah-Jade Champagne
