Lexus Birmingham Open 2025: Xu’s winning run comes to an end in the quarter-finals in Birmingham
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Mimi Xu missed out on a place in the semi-finals as the wild card bowed out of her first WTA 125 event after losing in straight sets.
In another tough match, the British teenager fought back to lead by a break in the second set but eventually was defeated 6-2, 6-4 by French star Jessika Ponchet on centre court in an hour and 25 minutes.
Xu has a lot to be proud off from her week at the Edgbaston Priory Club. The 17-year-old – who is supported by the LTA Pro Scholarship Programme, presented by Lexus – got her first two wins at WTA 125 level taking down top seed and world No.52 Alycia Parks in the process, she reached her first ever quarter-final above ITF level and she’s set to have a boost to her ranking as well as moving into the British top 10.
Speaking after the match Xu was full of positives: “In all honesty, I feel like I did all the right things, had all the right intentions, but maybe a bit on the execution. I think overall that’s the best I’ve served this whole tournament, maybe even this whole year, so I think I’ve got a lot to be proud of.
It was a bit on the execution today, but overall, I think I’ve been playing with the right intentions and giving it my all every single match, and she was just too good today.”
The world No. 140 was complimentary of her young British opponent, speaking to the Birmingham crowd, she said, “You can be proud to have her, she’s really playing well with a good attitude, so congrats to her for the tournament and good luck for the next. I’m sure I will see her a lot at the next tournament because she’s really playing well!”
Xu started the set well with an easy hold of her first serve, but Ponchet put the pressure on early. Mistakes started taking hold of the Brit’s game and it wasn't long before the 2024 Ilkley runner-up was up 4-1.
The British wild card showed the resilience she's built up in the tough moments - saving seven of the nine break points she faced in the first set - but a second break in the final game of the set put Ponchet into a commanding position.
Xu came out confidently in the second set, boosted by her fight back from a set and 5-3 down in her previous match. She fought off the initial threats from Ponchet and was rewarded with her first break of the match at 3-3.
However, she was unable to capitalise and the Frenchwoman immediately broke back. A couple of double faults in the final game took the wind out of Xu's sails, and after being 40-15 up, she found herself facing a match point. The Brit looked determined in the final rally, but a wide ball down the line gave Ponchet the match on her first ask.
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