Katarzyna Kawa has had a challenging season, having not yet secured a title. The Polish tennis player reached the final of the WTA 250 tournament in Bogotá, where she lost to Colombia’s Camila Osorio with a score of 3-6, 3-6. Kawa also competed in the final of the WTA 125 tournament in Båstad, but was defeated by Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto, ending the match at 3-6, 4-6. Recently, Kawa has been focusing on qualifying rounds in higher-tier tournaments, though she has often struggled to advance to the main draws.
Currently, Kawa is striving for a spot in the main draw of the WTA 250 tournament in Guangzhou. In her opening match, she achieved a hard-fought victory against Chinese player Xinyu Gao, winning 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, showcasing her resilience and determination on the court.
In the decisive round of qualifications, Kawa faced Hong Yi Cody Wong from Hong Kong, who is ranked 444th in the world, a difference of 324 places. Despite initially trailing 5-7, 4-5, Kawa displayed her fighting spirit. Wong managed to break back and level the match, but Kawa maintained her composure during an intensely contested first set, only to narrowly lose it 5-7.
The second set proved to be a nail-biter as well. After exchanging breaks early on, Kawa recovered from a setback to win crucial games, forcing a tiebreak. In a thrilling conclusion, Kawa led the tiebreak 6-3 but ultimately clinched the set 7-6 (5) on her third set point after a hard-fought battle.
The third set started favorably for Kawa as she quickly regained momentum, leading at 4-1. Although Wong made a strong comeback to even the score at 4-4, Kawa held her nerve and closed out the match, winning 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-4 after more than 160 minutes of grueling play. This victory allows her to enter the main draw in Guangzhou.
In the tournament, Kawa will face notable opponents, including Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Tatjana Maria, Alexandra Eala, Julija Putintseva, and Catherine McNally, all currently ranked within the top 100 of the WTA.
Looking ahead, Kawa will also prepare for the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs, which will take place in Gorzów Wielkopolski from November 14-16. The Polish team, led by Kawa, includes star player Iga Świątek, along with Linda Klimovicova and Martyna Kubka. With WTA 125 tournaments scheduled until mid-December, Kawa has ample opportunity to continue her quest for ranking points and end her season on a high note.