Bellis ends year on 15-match winning streak

By Niko Vercelletto Nov 30, 2016
Pick of the Day

Doha Betting Preview: Jelena Ostapenko vs. Jasmine Paolini

By Zachary Cohen Feb 11, 2025
Your Game

Alexander Zverev's new racquet: world No. 2 chooses Buenos Aires and Golden Swing to get earlier reps on clay

By Matt Fitzgerald Feb 11, 2025
The Business of Tennis

Rafael Nadal set for $94-million profit after selling part of his stake in tennis academy

By Baseline Staff Feb 11, 2025
Betting Central

Pick of the Day: Ons Jabeur vs. Zheng Qinwen, Doha

By Zachary Cohen Feb 11, 2025
Social

Airline sends Alexander Zverev's bags from Rome to the Maldives instead of Buenos Aires

By Baseline Staff Feb 10, 2025
Social

Quote of the Day: Ons Jabeur on Madison Keys’ Grand Slam success: “She inspired us all”

By Baseline Staff Feb 10, 2025
Lifestyle

Roger Federer’s Wimbledon-winning racquet sells for more than $100,000 in tennis auction

By Liya Davidov Feb 10, 2025
Lifestyle

The Tennis Traveler: Don’t sleep on the Delray Beach Open

By Liya Davidov Feb 10, 2025
Pop Culture

Serena Williams performs with Kendrick Lamar at Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show

By David Kane Feb 10, 2025

Bellis ends year on 15-match winning streak

The 17-year-old's hot streak is carrying right into 2017.

ByNiko Vercelletto

Published Nov 30, 2016

Who says American tennis is lacking a new female champion? CiCi Bellis, a 17-year-old from California, just won the first WTA title of her very young career at the $125K in Hawaii by defeating the top seed Shuai Zhang.

Advertising

It's an impressive win, especially when she wasn't even sure she wanted to turn pro. Bellis was considering playing college tennis for Stanford, but after reaching the third round of the US Open—a Grand Slam best for her—she decided to join the big leagues. (She also signed with IMG).

The teenager has shown that was the right choice. Since her US Open run, she reached the quarterfinals in Quebec and ended her year on a 15-title winning streak, snagging two ITF titles in a row coming into Hawaii.

Advertising

At No. 75 in the world, Bellis is the youngest player in the Top 100. With this new ranking, she will earn automatic main draw entry into majors next year.