The upcoming star Ksenia Efremova has forged a special chemistry with Monastir in Tunisia. The 15-year-old claimed her first professional title at the W15 Monastir event at the end of 2024, becoming the youngest player in two decades to lift a professional trophy. Not stopping there, Efremova clinched two more titles in Monastir this year, with the latest coming last week. A super-talented player who works at Mouratoglou Academy missed almost five months following elbow surgery, and the setback did not halt her progress. Ksenia lifted her second Monastir title in July and completed a hat-trick last Sunday. The young gun lost one set en route to her most recent success, battling past five more experienced rivals and lifting a trophy after an all-French final.
Ksenia Efremova, W15 Monastir 2024© Instagram – Ksenia Efremova
Ksenia makes a reliable start in Monastir
A teenager faced a qualifier Lauren Seye in the first round and scored a 6-4, 6-3 victory in an hour and 53 minutes. Efremova saved six of ten break points and stole the rival’s serve seven times en route to a win. Ksenia squandered a 3-0 and a 4-3 advantage in the opener before claiming it with another break in game nine and ahold at 30 at 5-4. The 15-year-old delivered three breaks in the second set and kicked off the campaign with a win. Efremova faced Ela Nala Milic in the second round and prevailed 6-7, 6-1, 6-4 after three hours. Ksenia suffered six breaks and responded with nine return games on her tally, losing a tight opener and bouncing back in set number two. The French player controlled the scoreboard in the decider, losing the advantage but rattling off eight points from 4-4 to emerge at the top.
Ksenia Efremova, W15 Monastir 2024© Instagram – Ksenia Efremova
Efremova moves into the final
The young gun faced the 3rd seed Camilla Zanolini in the quarter-final and scored a rock-solid 6-3, 6-2 victory in an hour and 17 minutes for a place in the last four. Ksenia lost serve once and turned half of the return points into five breaks, rattling off the final four games at 2-2 in the second set to remain on the title course. Efremova faced the top seed Luisa Meyer auf der Heide in the semi-final and beat the German 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and 38 minutes for a place in her third final in Monastir. The 15-year-old got broken two times and stole over half of the return points, providing five breaks from nine chances and emerging at the top in style.
Ksenia Efremova, W15 Monastir 2024© Instagram – Ksenia Efremova
Ksenia wins third consecutive title in Monastir
The 15-year-old pursued her 15th consecutive win at this event, with Nina Radovanovic standing between her and the trophy. Ksenia ousted the 8th seed 6-1, 7-5 in two hours and one minute to wrap up a perfect week and lift a trophy. Efremova played better in the decisive moments, defending seven of nine break points and crossing the finish line with six return games on her tally. The younger player made a flying start, breaking her rival three times in the opener for 6-1. Radovanovic came from 3-0 down in the second set and served for it at 5-4. Ksenia kept her composure and broke back in game ten for more action. She held after deuces in the 11th game and delivered a crucial break in the next one to extend her streak in Monastir and lift the third consecutive trophy at this event.