Lulu Sun Shocks Wimbledon 2024: Historic Upset, Highlights & What’s Next for the Swiss Star

Rising Kiwi tennis star Lulu Sun has powered into the Guangzhou Open final after dismantling fellow qualifier Claire Liu 6-0, 7-6 (3) in Saturday’s semifinal, booking just the second WTA Tour title match of her career. Sun, 24, needed only 77 minutes to blitz through a first set bagel before keeping her composure in a tense tiebreak, extending a stunning run that has seen her win seven straight matches in southern China, including two in qualifying. Key takeaways for fans and searchers following “Lulu Sun” this week: • Career milestone: The left-hander from Te Anau is the first New Zealander to reach multiple WTA Tour finals since Belinda Cordwell in 1989, and she is projected to crack the top 60 for the first time if she lifts the trophy. • Road to the final: Sun eliminated No. 5 seed Tatjana Maria, battled past American Catherine McNally in a three-set quarter-final thriller, and has dropped only one set all tournament. • Title showdown: She will face another qualifier, U.S. baseliner Ann Li, on Sunday. Sun leads their head-to-head 1-0 after a straight-sets win at a 2024 ITF event, but Li dispatched top seed Magda Linette earlier this week and owns a WTA title. • Ranking impact: Starting the week at No. 73, Sun can surge to a new career-high around No. 57 by reaching the final and could leap inside the top 50 with the championship, positioning herself for direct entry into the 2026 Australian Open main draw. • Playing style: Armed with a heavy lefty serve and aggressive forehand, the former University of Texas NCAA champion wins over 70 % of first-serve points this week and has fired 27 aces, second-best in the tournament. What’s next: Sunday’s final is slated not before 7 p.m. local time (11 a.m. GMT). With form, fitness and momentum on her side, Lulu Sun is a win away from the biggest title in New Zealand tennis in over three decades—and search interest in her name is expected to keep soaring as she chases history.