Poland’s Magdalena Frech wins first WTA title of career at WTA 500 event in Guadalajara

Poland’s Magdalena Frech capped a dream week in Guadalajara on Sunday night, defeating Australian qualifier Olivia Gadecki, 7-6 (5), 6-4, to capture the first WTA title of her career.

And at a WTA 500 event, no less.

The 26-year-old Frech becomes the fourth Polish woman to capture a tour-level title this century, after Agnieszka Radwanska (20), Magda Linette (three) and Iga Swiatek (22).

Frech, the No. 5 seed in Guadalajara, pulled off her biggest win of the week in the semifinals on Saturday, upsetting the No. 4 seed, Caroline Garcia, in a tight two-setter, 7-6 (4), 7-5.

But her final opponent was just as tough—even though Gadecki was a No. 152-ranked qualifier into the draw this week, she had taken out No. 2 seed Danielle Collins en route to the title match, as well as former US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

The 73-minute first set could have gone either way on Sunday—not only did Frech twice have to serve to stay in the set, at 4-5 and 5-6, she was also two points from losing it in the tie-break at 4-5—but she snuck out the last three points, with Gadecki missing a forehand slice approach shot into the net on her first set point.

Gadecki came out swinging in the second set, breaking right away then holding for a 2-0 lead, but Frech stormed back, winning six of the next eight games to close the final out in straight sets.

The Pole got broken while she was serving for the match at 5-3, but broke right back at love to seal the deal—including a perfect backhand passing shot down the line on match point.

She then dropped to the court in celebration.

Frech was playing the second WTA final of her career, having reached her first at the WTA 250 event in Prague earlier this summer, finishing runner-up in an all-Polish final with Linette there.

Gadecki wasn't just playing her first WTA final, she had never even been to a WTA semifinal or quarterfinal before this—she'll break into the Top 100 for the first time with this breakthrough run.