Mika Stojsavljevic, 17, stuns ex-Aus Open champion Kenin for first WTA win
Synopsis
Given just one hour's notice after Leylah Fernandez's late withdrawal, 17-year-old Mika Stojsavljevic — the 2025 US Open junior champion — walked onto the court and beat former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin to claim her first-ever WTA main-draw win. It is the most dramatic proof yet that British tennis has a genuine young talent on its hands.
Key Takeaways
Mika Stojsavljevic , 17, beat former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the first round of the Hong Kong Tennis Open on 4 November 2025 .
It was Stojsavljevic's first WTA main-draw victory in six career attempts .
She entered as a lucky loser after Leylah Fernandez withdrew, and was informed just one hour before the match.
Stojsavljevic is the 2025 US Open junior champion and the first Briton in 15 years to claim that title.
Claire Liu also advanced, defeating No.
8 seed Katie Boulter 7-5, 6-4 to reach her second straight WTA quarter-final.
Seventeen-year-old Mika Stojsavljevic made history at the Hong Kong Tennis Open on 4 November 2025, claiming the first WTA main-draw victory of her career by defeating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the first round. The young Briton, competing as a lucky loser, triumphed 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in a tense three-set contest — completing the win on her sixth career WTA main-draw attempt.
How the Match Unfolded
Stojsavljevic looked in complete control after taking the first set and racing to a 3-0 double-break lead in the second, only for Kenin to level by winning six consecutive games and force a decider. The teenager steadied her nerves in the third set, absorbing pressure from the seasoned American before closing it out 6-4 to seal a memorable upset.
A Last-Minute Route Into the Draw
The British prospect had fallen at the final hurdle in qualifying for the WTA 250 event but was handed a reprieve when Canadian star Leylah Fernandez withdrew from the main draw. Remarkably, Stojsavljevic was notified of her participation just one hour before her match against the former Grand Slam champion — leaving almost no time for preparation against an opponent of Kenin's pedigree.
A Rising Star's Journey
Stojsavljevic began her tennis career at the age of seven at Ealing Tennis Club in London. She went on to become the first Briton in 15 years to win the US Open junior title, claiming that honour in 2025, and reached a career-high of fifth in the junior world rankings. She turned professional in 2025, made her tour debut in 2024 in Tokyo, and earned a wild card into the Wimbledon main draw — her first Grand Slam main-draw appearance. This year also saw her reach the quarter-finals of the WTA 125 event in Birmingham.
Wednesday's victory is Stojsavljevic's second notable scalp of 2025. Earlier in the year, she defeated then-world number 56 Talia Gibson at Billie Jean King Cup qualifying in April, signalling that her junior pedigree could translate quickly to the senior circuit.
Elsewhere in Hong Kong
Claire Liu also advanced impressively, defeating No. 8 seed and 2024 finalist Katie Boulter 7-5, 6-4 to reach her second consecutive WTA quarter-final. Liu had previously reached the last eight in Guangzhou the week prior, suggesting she is hitting strong form heading into the closing stretch of the season.
Stojsavljevic's next challenge will test whether her breakthrough win is a one-off or the start of a sustained run at a WTA 250 event.
Point of View
But it shouldn't be. A 17-year-old, given an hour's notice, beats a former Grand Slam champion on her sixth main-draw attempt — that is not luck, that is readiness. The bigger question is whether British tennis's support structures can accelerate her development now that she has proven she belongs on the main tour. Her 2025 arc — junior Slam, Wimbledon wild card, WTA quarter-final — is unusually compressed, and the pressure to deliver quickly could easily outpace her physical maturity if not managed carefully.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mika Stojsavljevic and why is her Hong Kong win significant?
Mika Stojsavljevic is a 17-year-old British tennis player and the 2025 US Open junior champion. Her win over Sofia Kenin in Hong Kong is her first-ever WTA main-draw victory, achieved on her sixth career attempt, making it a landmark moment in her transition from the junior to senior circuit.
How did Stojsavljevic enter the Hong Kong Tennis Open main draw?
She entered as a lucky loser after Canadian player Leylah Fernandez withdrew from the main draw. Stojsavljevic was notified just one hour before her match against Sofia Kenin, having originally lost in the final round of qualifying.
What is Mika Stojsavljevic's tennis background?
Stojsavljevic began playing tennis at age seven at Ealing Tennis Club in London. She became the first Briton in 15 years to win the US Open junior title in 2025, reached a career-high of fifth in the junior world rankings, and made her Grand Slam main-draw debut with a wild card at Wimbledon.
Who else advanced at the Hong Kong Tennis Open?
Claire Liu defeated No. 8 seed and 2024 finalist Katie Boulter 7-5, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals — her second consecutive WTA quarter-final appearance after reaching the last eight in Guangzhou the previous week.
What other big results has Stojsavljevic recorded in 2025?
Earlier in 2025, Stojsavljevic defeated then-world number 56 Talia Gibson at Billie Jean King Cup qualifying in April. She also reached the quarter-finals of the WTA 125 event in Birmingham, underlining her growing presence on the senior circuit.
