Lexus Birmingham Open 2025: Mimi Xu completes comeback victory to reach the quarter-finals
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Mimi Xu is the last Brit standing in the main draw at the Lexus Birmingham Open after pulling off a comeback win over Katarzyna Kawa to reach the quarter-finals.
The 17-year-old recovered well from falling a set down with the Pole having the chance to serve for the match in the second, to eventually flip the scoreboard on its head and clinch a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 win.
“I think at the start, she was playing well. I was missing a bit too much but overall I knew there wasn’t much in it going into the second set”, Xu said reflecting on the match. “When I was 5-4, 0-30 down I was telling myself ‘Just enjoy every moment you can and play free’ and I managed to turn the match around.”
This week’s tournament in Birmingham marked Xu’s debut at a WTA 125 event and she made a statement start after downing top seed Alycia Parks 6-1, 7-6(6) in the opening round at the Lexus Birmingham Open.
After falling short in the opening set, Xu quickly trailed an early break in the second to open up the opportunity for the world No.142 to serve out the match. However, a late surge from the British youngster saw reel off four games on the bounce to force a decider.
The early stages of the third saw the pair tussle to take control of the set but it was Xu who settled first. The Brit went on to seal two crucial breaks before closing out victory on her first match point to punch her ticket to the final eight.
Xu has well and truly found hit the ground running on the grass and owes her success so far to the home fans who have rallied behind her during her two wins at the Edgbaston Priory Club so far.
“It’s been amazing, this club is so beautiful”, she added. “The people here, when I was 5-4 down, they really got me through each point. Every point I won there was a massive roar, and it really kept my energy up.”
Next up, the teenager from South Wales – who is supported by the LTA Pro Scholarship Programme, presented by Lexus – will face world No.140 Jessika Ponchet after she came through a tense contest against Heather Watson this afternoon.
However, Xu will be hoping that her lengthy training block on the grass, combined with the enjoyment of competing at her first WTA 125 event, will help carry her through her battle against the Frenchwoman to reach the final four.
“It’s the earliest I’ve ever been on the grass and I’ve probably had the most time on the grass out of everyone and I’m going to use that to my advantage."I
"I’m just going to play my game - I’ve been training great and I think I’ve just shown I can compete as well."
Xu will take on Ponchet in the quarter-finals of the Lexus Birmingham Open on Friday 6 June.
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