The first of two scheduled women’s W15 tournaments has concluded at the National Tennis Center. The singles title was won by 16-year-old Russian player with Moldovan roots Felitsata Dorofeeva-Rybas, ranked No. 761 in the WTA rankings. In the final, she convincingly defeated Norway’s Astrid Wanja Brune Olsen 6-2, 6-1.
From October 5 to 11, the National Tennis Center in Chisinau hosted an international women’s W15 tournament with a prize fund of $15,000. The competition took place on outdoor clay courts and brought together players from various countries.
October often brings unpredictable weather for outdoor tournament organizers, but this time conditions were almost ideal. Chisinau enjoyed favorable tennis weather throughout the tournament week, without a single rainy day, allowing all matches to take place without weather-related interruptions.
A Victory with Moldovan Roots
Felitsata Dorofeeva-Rybas, the fourth seed, was considered one of the main contenders for the title from the very beginning. For the young Russian player, competing in Chisinau also held special family significance.
Her father, Victor Rybas, is originally from Chisinau, where he attended a tennis school and also represented Moldova in the Davis Cup. Today, he plays a key role in his daughter’s sporting career, combining the responsibilities of coach, manager and hitting partner.
Sixteen-year-old Felitsata lived up to expectations and went on to claim the title.
In the first round, she defeated French qualifier Delia Gaillard 6-3, 6-0, before giving Romania’s Sonia Erika Butuc Cerchez no chance in the second round, winning 6-0, 6-1.
Dorofeeva-Rybas faced her toughest challenge in the quarterfinals against another Romanian player, Maria Valentina Pop. Felitsata won the opening set 6-2, lost the second on a tie-break 6-7(5), and took a 4-1 lead in the deciding set before her opponent retired from the match.
In the semifinals, the Russian faced Italy’s Aurora Corvi, who had started the tournament in qualifying and made her way into the last four. However, she was unable to stop Dorofeeva-Rybas, who won 6-1, 6-1.
The Final Under the Champion’s Control
In the title match, Felitsata faced Norway’s Astrid Wanja Brune Olsen, who had defeated top seed Andreea Prisacariu of Romania earlier in the tournament.
In the quarterfinals, the Norwegian beat the top seed 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, before facing third-seeded Zuzanna Bednarz of Poland in the semifinals. With Brune Olsen leading 6-0, 2-1, Bednarz retired from the match.
The final proved to be a one-sided affair. Dorofeeva-Rybas took control from the opening games and secured a 6-2, 6-1 victory, becoming the champion of the first October W15 tournament in Chisinau.
Moldovan Players at Their Home Tournament
Local fans paid particular attention to the performances of the Moldovan players. Four Moldovan tennis players received wild cards from the organizers into the singles main draw.
In the first round, Lia Belibova faced Ukrainian qualifier Yelizaveta Trush and lost 3-6, 4-6.
Eva Iurina lost to Ukraine’s Aliesia Reva 1-6, 1-6. Arina Gamretkaia was defeated by Romania’s Maria Valentina Pop 3-6, 3-6, while Romina Hincu’s match against Germany’s Sophia Ksandinov ended prematurely with the score at 1-6, 1-3. Nevertheless, competing at this level gave the young Moldovan players an opportunity to gain international experience and test themselves against opponents from other countries.
The Moldovan players achieved their most significant result in the doubles competition. Lia Belibova and Arina Gamretkaia, who also received a wild card, reached the final. In the first round, they comfortably defeated France’s Justine Bretnacher and Delia Gaillard 6-0, 6-4, before beating fourth seeds Simona Cucu and Onalia Wagner 6-2, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.
In the semifinals, the Moldovan pair came through a real marathon against top seeds Astrid Wanja Brune Olsen and Sophie Luescher, winning 6-4, 4-6, 15-13 in the deciding match tie-break. In the final, they faced Ekaterina Agureeva and Felitsata Dorofeeva-Rybas, who proved stronger.
International Tennis Continues
The W15 tournament became another international event on the calendar of the National Tennis Center and the Tennis Federation of the Republic of Moldova.
On October 12, the second consecutive women’s W15 tournament will begin on the same clay courts and continue until October 18.
Chisinau is therefore hosting two consecutive weeks of international professional women’s tennis, giving Moldovan players the opportunity to compete at home and gain experience on the World Tennis Tour.
