McCartney Kessler will head into the Australian Open with a second WTA title under her belt after scoring a 6-4 3-6 6-0 victory over Elise Mertens in the Hobart International final on Saturday.
McCartney Kessler after beating Elise Mertens in Hobart Final:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 11, 2025
“I want to thank everyone back home that’s watching. I have so many people that support me. Family, friends.. my 96 year old grandma 🥹. It’s really special that no matter how far away I am from home, I have so many… pic.twitter.com/zzaiMv2h71
The American, who will face China's Zhang Shuai in the first round at Melbourne Park, racked up 44 winners against Mertens, who was chasing a third title in Hobart after triumphs in 2017 and 2018, as well as a runners-up finish last year.
Ranked 67th in the world, 25-year-old Kessler wrapped up the win in just over two hours after a dominant deciding set, as she aims to improve on last year's second-round Australian Open exit.
Mertens, 29, faces Swiss Viktorija Golubic in her opening round at the Australian Open. The Belgian reached the semifinals of the year's opening Grand Slam in 2018.
McCartney Kessler wraps up her 2nd career title 🤩🏆#HobartTennis pic.twitter.com/fL9jT9gA8f
— wta (@WTA) January 11, 2025