<\/p>\n
\nUSA winner Ann Li (R) and New Zealand’s Lulu Sun after the Guangzhou Open tennis women’s singles final.
\nPhoto: AFP\n<\/p>\n
Lulu Sun has fallen short of ending a 12-year drought for New Zealand tennis, beaten in the final at the WTA Guangzhou Open in China.<\/p>\n
Sun went down 7-6, 6-2 to American second-seed Ann Li, denying Sun’s attempt to become the first New Zealander to win a WTA Tour-level singles title since Marina Erakovic, in Memphis in 2013.<\/p>\n
It was still a successful week for Sun, who was forced to qualify for the main draw, playing a total of six matches across the tournament and spending more than eight and a half hours on court.<\/p>\n
She beat four higher-ranked opponents, including top seeded Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, to reach her second career WTA final.<\/p>\n
Sun’s ranking is forecast to climb from 116 to 87, which would secure her a place in the main draw at the Australian Open in January.<\/p>\n
Before then, she is scheduled to contest Auckland’s ASB Classic.<\/p>\n
“Congrats to Ann,” Sun said at the post-match trophy presentation.<\/p>\n
“She was obviously the greater player today, and she’s had an amazing season as well.<\/p>\n
“It was a very positive week for me, nonetheless. It was wonderful atmosphere, wonderful people and organisation as well. So even though today is a little bit disappointing, I’m pretty happy with my week.”<\/p>\n
Sun will contest next week’s Chennai Open in India.<\/p>\n
There will be little time for Sun to dwell on this result, as she is playing in Chennai, India next week and has been drawn against a qualifier in the opening round.<\/p>\n