While the big names on the WTA Tour perform at the Stuttgart Open, there have also been some major developments at Open de Rouen.
Four of the top five played the Stuttgart Open despite its WTA 500 status, and the final will be Elena Rybakina vs Karolina Muchova.
Open de Rouen, meanwhile, boasted the likes of Katie Boulter, Sorana Cirstea, Hailey Baptiste, and Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
The French tournament’s final, between Marta Kostyuk and Veronika Podrez will make WTA history no matter the result.
Marta Kostyuk and Veronika Podrez make WTA history
Kostyuk is the number one seed at Open de Rouen, so it should be no surprise that the Ukrainian has made it to the final.
Podrez, however, has been one of the stories of the entire event as she made it through to the final as a qualifier.
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The 19-year-old began the week outside the top 200, but she produced scalps against Cocciaretto and Boulter on the French clay.
The final between Kostyuk and Podrez will be the first WTA Tour final in history featuring two Ukrainians.
Podrez will be competing in her very first WTA Tour final, while Kostyuk is looking to win her second title and first for over three years.
What has been said ahead of the final between Marta Kostyuk and Veronika Podrez
Kostyuk had never previously played Open de Rouen in her career, but it’s been kind to her so far this season.
The Ukrainian has defeated Tatjana Maria, Ann Li, Caty McNally, and Diane Parry to reach her second WTA Tour final of the season.
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Looking ahead to her match with Podrez, Kostyuk said: “I’m excited for the final, the final is always amazing. It’s going to be a first-time final for her so she’s going to be nervous. She’s young.”
No matter the result of the Open de Rouen final, there will be back-to-back Ukrainian winners at the French event.
Last year saw Elina Svitolina lift the trophy, after beating Olga Danilović in straight sets in the final.
