The L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo, a WTA 125 event, is set to take place from Monday, April 28, to Sunday, May 4, 2025, at the Tennis Club JA Saint-Malo in the picturesque coastal city of Saint-Malo, France. This tournament, held on outdoor clay courts, offers a $115,000 prize fund and serves as a key warm-up event for players preparing for the French Open.
Tournament Format
The tournament features a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw, with players competing in a knockout format. The event provides an opportunity for rising stars and seasoned professionals to gain valuable match practice on clay while earning ranking points and prize money.
Key Players to Watch
Alycia Parks (USA)
- Seeded No. 1: Parks enters the tournament as the top seed, ranked No. 53 in the world.
- Strengths: Known for her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game, Parks will look to dominate on clay despite it not being her preferred surface.
Jaqueline Cristian (Romania)
- Seeded No. 2: Cristian, ranked No. 65, has shown consistency on clay and will aim to make a deep run.
- Recent Form: Cristian’s solid performances in recent WTA 125 events position her as a strong contender.
Varvara Gracheva (France)
- Seeded No. 3: Gracheva, ranked No. 66, will have the support of the home crowd as she seeks her first title of the season.
- Strengths: Her adaptability and tactical play make her a threat on clay.
Loïs Boisson (France)
- Defending Champion: Boisson captured the 2024 title and will aim to defend her crown on home soil.
- Strengths: Her familiarity with the conditions and confidence from last year’s victory could give her an edge.
Katie Volynets (USA)
- Seeded No. 4: Volynets, ranked No. 70, has been steadily improving her clay-court game and could be a dark horse in the draw.
Doubles Field
The doubles competition will feature strong pairings, including defending champions Amina Anshba (Russia) and Anastasia Dețiuc (Czech Republic). Their chemistry and experience on clay make them favorites to retain their title.
Tournament Storylines
- French Hopes: With players like Loïs Boisson and Varvara Gracheva in the draw, the home crowd will be eager to see a French champion emerge.
- Clay-Court Specialists: The tournament provides a platform for players who excel on clay to showcase their skills ahead of Roland Garros.
- Rising Stars: Young talents such as Kaja Juvan and Diane Parry will look to make their mark in Saint-Malo.
- Preparation for Paris: As one of the final clay-court events before the French Open, L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo offers players a chance to fine-tune their games.
Prize Money and Ranking Points
| Round | Ranking Points | Prize Money (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Champion | 160 | 15,000 |
| Finalist | 95 | 8,000 |
| Semifinals | 57 | 5,000 |
| Quarterfinals | 29 | 3,000 |
| Round of 16 | 15 | 1,500 |
| Round of 32 | 1 | 1,000 |
Tournament Outlook
The L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo promises an exciting week of tennis, with a mix of rising stars and experienced players battling it out on clay. The tournament’s scenic location and competitive field make it a must-watch event as the clay-court season heats up.
