CHIASSO, April 26, 2025
Sixteen consecutive wins for Julia Grabher and six straight victories in as many days for Katarina Zavatska—the numbers made it clear: there could hardly be a better final for the 13th edition of the Axion Open. Sunday’s title match of the ITF World Tennis Tour W75 clay-court event promises to be one of the finest in the tournament’s history.
Grabher produced a dominant performance in her semifinal, defeating fourth seed Kathinka von Deichmann 6-3, 6-0. Zavatska was also convincing, cruising past young Belgian Hanne Vandewinkel 6-2, 6-1.
Even before the tournament began, Grabher and Zavatska were seen as two of the players to watch. Over the course of the week in Chiasso, Switzerland, they fully lived up to those expectations, setting up a thrilling final.
After winning titles at the ITF World Tennis Tour W35 event in Santa Margherita di Pula and the W75 in Koper, Grabher is now aiming for her third consecutive trophy. Her sixteenth straight win came in style against von Deichmann, capped off by a celebration with her brother—who also serves as her coach—and her small dog. “It’s ‘Oki’s’ first tournament,” the Austrian said smiling, “and he’s doing great, making lots of friends here at the club.”
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Following two wrist surgeries, the former World No. 54 is dreaming of a return to the top ranks, and her recent form suggests it’s within reach: “I played the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Miami with a protected ranking, which helped me get back into rhythm. Now competing at the ITF level is also helping me, and the results are rewarding me.”
Zavatska, too, has the credentials to lift the trophy. The former World No. 103 is making an impressive comeback after yet another injury—this time, plantar fasciitis. Starting from the qualifiers, Zavatska has been flawless so far: “I’ve played a lot of matches this week, but I still feel fresh because the matches were quite quick,” the Ukrainian explained. “Today’s 6-2, 6-1 win over Vandewinkel maybe doesn’t tell the full story—many games went to deuce.”
Earlier in the day, Elixane Lechemia and Alicia Barnett claimed the doubles title with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Ines Ibbou and Bibiane Schoofs.
