Lexus Nottingham Open 2025: McCartney Kessler defeats Dayana Yastremska to win her first grass title in Nottingham
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America’s McCartney Kessler has taken home the Elena Baltacha Trophy after straight sets win against Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska at the Lexus Nottingham Open.
The world No.42 took an hour and 44 minutes to see off the Ukranian player 6-4, 7-5 and secure her third WTA tour title in 12 months.
Having won her first tour level main draw match on grass against Francesca Jones at the HSBC Championships last week, Kessler has now picked up her first title on the surface and is just the third American woman to do so in Nottingham - after Julie Heldman (1971) and Billie Jean King (1972 and 1973).
The win today will see Kessler move up to a career-high ranking of world No.31 in tomorrow’s update. Speaking after her win, the American spoke of what it means to win the title, praising her opponent in the process.
“I’m super excited to have another title and have gotten to another final, another great week of tennis for me," she said. "I want to start by congratulating Dayana on a good week as well, she’s a really tough competitor. We’ve had three really competitive matches so congrats on a good week.”
The rain caused some havoc in the opening set with some disruption to play but Kessler appreciated the crowd sticking with the match as well as thanking her team for their support across the week.
“I want to thank the crowd for staying through the rain delays, it’s so much more fun playing in front of a big crowd like today. It was obviously a tighter second set than I had wanted at 5-3 but yeah it made it all more exciting, got to play a little bit longer in front of the crowd and it was super fun.
“And then a special thanks to my team, I have a new physio with me this last couple weeks and she’s been super helpful. And then my husband and my brother/coach, they’re all with me, supporting me and making this journey a lot more fun so I’m super super appreciative of their help.”
McCartney Kessler’s path to the Lexus Nottingham Open title
- First round: Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) 7-5, 6-7(3), 7-5
- Second round: Lin Zhu (CHN) 6-1, 6-4
- Quarter-final: Katie Boulter (GBR) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
- Semi-final: Rebecca Sramkova (SVK) 6-4, 6-2
- Final: Dayana Yastremska (UKR) 6-4, 7-5
Yastremska has also had a positive week in Nottingham having knocked out three seeded players in straight sets on her way to her seventh WTA Tour final and first on grass. Speaking after the match, she was taking the positives from the week.
“It’s been a pretty nice week for me, it’s been a great experience," Yastremska added.
“It’s my second final of this year, and you know, you win, you lose, doesn’t matter, I was enjoying playing here, and I want to congratulate (Kessler) for the win, great job. You had a bit more luck today with the bounces, plus you play great tennis, I really enjoy playing with you.
“I’m very proud of myself, even though I lost today, I think that I’m improving some things that I’m working on and not the win, but hopefully soon and day by day, I’m trying my best."
Kessler came out fighting from the start, her aggressive gameplay giving her the early advantage as she raced to a two-game lead. The Cleveland champion secured a double break to go up 5-2.
The Ukrainian managed to recover one of the breaks but a growing error cournt — racking up 22 compared to Kessler’s five – helped the American close out the set.
Building on her momentum in blustery conditions, the 25-year-old applied early pressure in the second set, creating two break point opportunities in the first game. She continued to press and eventually broke for a 5-3 lead.
The title looked all but sealed as Kessler closed in on match point, but the world No.46 dug deep to save five match points and shift some momentum. A tense service game followed for the American - her first serve percentage sitting at just 50% in the second set - and a costly double fault helped level the score.
Still, Kessler wasn’t done as she quickly earned a sixth match point, and this time, a wide ball from Yastremska sealed the victory for the American.
Over in the doubles final, third seeds Beatriz Haddad Maia and Laura Siegemund defeated fourth seeds Anna Danilina and Ena Shibahara to win their first title together.
The Brazilian, German duo needed an hour and 18 minutes to win the title 6-3, 6-2 on Centre Court.
The pair - who made it to the third round at Roland Garros last month - went down an early break before fighting back to win the next three games in a row to eventually secure the opening set.
After winning the opening two games in the second, Haddad Maia and Siegemund fended off any counterattacks from their opponents before securing the double break in the penultimate game.
A tricky final game saw them save four break points before securing their Lexus Nottingham Open title.
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