Lexus Ilkley Open 2026: Jacob Fearnley sets up final clash against in-form Yunchaokete Bu

Britain’s Jacob Fearnley secured his place in his first ATP Challenger final this year after coming through a testing match against Italy’s Filippo Romano 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-4. 

The British No.7 will now take on in-form Bu, who edged past seventh seed Dane Sweeny in two tight tie-breaks, winning 7-6(4), 7-6(6) to reach back-to-back finals on the grass following his title run at the Lexus Birmingham Open.

Both women’s semi-finals went the distance, but it was Krueger who prevailed - knocking out fourth seed Darja Vidmanova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, while Naef came back from a set down to beat Mary Stoiana 1-6, 6-3, 6-5.

For Krueger, she’ll be bidding to lift her second WTA 125 title on grass, having won the Veneto Open title two years ago with a three-set victory over former HSBC Championships winner Tatjana Maria. However, it’ll be new territory for Naef, as the Swiss star prepares to compete in her first final on grass.

Lexus Ilkley Open men’s singles final - Jacob Fearnley vs Yunchaokete Bu 

Fearnley is no stranger to success on grass, having lifted the ATP Challenger trophy at the Lexus Nottingham Open two years ago. It was a victory that sparked a rapid rise up the rankings and helped fuel a dominant streak on the Challenger Tour - leading him to haul four titles in 2024.

It’s been a difficult season so far for Fearnley, with injuries and inconsistent form limiting his progress in tournaments. Prior to this week, his last main draw win came back in March at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. However, the fifth seed has rediscvoered his rhythm on the grass in Ilkley and will be targeting one final win as he looks to kick-start his summer with a title-winning performance at the Lexus Ilkley Open.

Standing in his way of the title will be Bu, who arrives in strong form after reaching back-to-back finals on grass. The Chinese star had to navigate his way through a rainy week in Birmingham to claim his maiden grass court title last week, and has backed up that performance with another strong showing in Ilkley. 

The world No.166 has been a dominant force so far this week and is yet to drop a set across his four matches.

Sunday’s final will be the pair’s second meeting, following their encounter at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open, where Fearnley prevailed in straight sets. 

Lexus Ilkley Open women’s singles final - Ashlyn Krueger vs Celine Naef

Krueger has made an impressive start to the grass-court season, backing up her semi-final run in Birmingham with a place in the final in Ilkley,

Despite being just 22, the American already boasts a WTA 250 title, claimed in Osaka in 2023, and has demonstrated her strength on grass with consistently strong results, including deep runs in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and the Lexus Eastbourne Open.

Currently ranked world No.113, Krueger has enjoyed a solid season so far, reaching the semi-finals at the WTA 250 event in Austin, the third round at Indian Wells and progressing through qualifying to reach the main draw at Roland Garros.

She will face Naef for the second time in her career, with the Swiss player having won their previous meeting in Wimbledon qualifying in 2023.

While only 20-years-old, Naef is an experienced player on the ITF tour, having racked up 10 singles titles and nine doubles crowns since 2022. 

She enjoyed a fast start to the 2026 season, with the world No.206 collecting three titles in the opening two months. The women’s singles final at the Lexus Ilkley Open will mark one of the biggest finals of Naef’s young career - matching her runner-up finish at the WTA 125 final in Limoges a couple of years ago.

How to watch the Lexus Ilkley Open finals

The women’s singles final at the Lexus Ilkley Open will be streamed live on WTA Unlocked.

The men’s singles will be available to watch exclusively on Tennis Channel.