Lexus Birmingham Open 2025: Greet Minnen crowned women’s singles champion

The Belgian had to finish a gruelling three-set semi-final before returning to beat Czech star Linda Fruhvirtova in the final 6-2, 6-1.

After a long day on court, Minnen needed just over an hour to wrap up her first career title on grass in only her third final at this level.

“It’s been a wonderful moment,” Minnen said. “It hasn’t been easy the last few years; I haven’t played a lot of finals. To be here, to win a final on the grass, it’s the best I could hope for honestly.

“My physio has been a life saver this week. It’s been a tough week with all the rain for everyone at the tournament. I don’t know how I pulled it off but let’s not think about it and try to enjoy it.”

In another day plagued with rain delays, Minnen had to save match point in the semi-final to come back and defeat Rebeka Masarova 3-6, 7-6(7), 7-6(5) – her third three set win of the week.

Just a few hours later and the world No.77 was back out on court ready for the final and seemed to benefit from having the time on the Ann Jones Centre Court earlier in the day.

Minnen came out the blocks flying and took her chances well – breaking twice on just two opportunities in a high tempo opening set.

Fruhvirtova fought back early in the second set, breaking the Belgian on the first game, but the Czech ended up on the wrong side of a lengthy service game which seemed to throw her out of rhythm.

Minnen reeled off the final five games with relative ease to round off a milestone win in the 27-year-old’s career.

For Fruhvirtova it’s been a positive week – reaching her second final of the season, having not made one for the previous two years.

On Friday, Australia’s Destanee Aiava and Spain’s Cristina Bucsa won the women’s doubles title – defeating Britain’s Alicia Barnett and Elixane Lechemia 6-4, 6-2 in the final.