20 July 2025

HawkEye

Dream final!

Shooting star Lois Boisson challenges defending champion Anna Bondar

This "B" solution is a dream final! Defending champion Anna Bondar from Hungary against shooting star Lois Boisson (France). This Sunday at 2 pm, the duel between the two top athletes is not just about the prestigious title at Hamburg's Rothenbaum and a prize money of 31,565 euros. It's also about answering two questions: Will they manage to defend their title for the first time since the tournament was revived in 2021? Or will Lois Boisson, the French Open semi-finalist, win her first major title?

The answer to these questions cannot be predicted in advance. Is it an advantage for Boisson that she was more effective on her way to the final? Three two-set victories, only against Tamara Korpatsch did she have to go three sets. Bondar, on the other hand, needed three sets three times and was on court much longer. Not only that. She also played her way through to the final in the doubles alongside Arantxa Rus (Netherlands)! And so Bondar can and wants to defend both the singles and doubles title at the Rothenbaum. 

 

Because four hours after defeating Juvan, Bondar and Rus triumphed against the Austrian doubles pair Julia Grabher and Sinja Kraus 4:6, 7:6 and 10:5 in the match tie-break, even fending off a match point in the second set. So will Bondar's battery be full enough after a good night's sleep for the showdown with Lois Boisson, who is also very fit?
Bondar is certain that this is the case. "An important point for my game is that I'm physically fit," says Bondar.

That's why she likes long, tough matches. Like the 5:7, 6:3, 6:4 against Kaja Juvan. It was a largely even match in which Bondar was that decisive touch more consistent in the last two sets, leading her to state: "The little things made the difference."

Anna Bondar

Lois Boisson had less resistance to overcome against Dayana Yastremska. After going 6:1 up in the first set, it looked like a completely one-sided match. But Yastremska rebelled again, broke her to 5:5 and saved herself in the tie-break. But Boisson won it 7:5, partly because she kept her cool when things threatened to get tight: "I'm calmer on the court than I used to be," she says.

Boisson against Bondar. It is the third duel between the two - and the third on clay. In 2024, Boisson had won in three sets in Bellinzona. Bondar won the semi-final clash in Chiasso in two sets. That may be an indication of another very exciting clash. For Boisson, the biggest title of her career is at stake. And for Bondar, it's about defending the title. 

Lois Boisson

Match Highlights

BONDAR 

VS.

JUVAN

Endgame!

Anna
Bondar

Age: 28

Born in: Szeghalom, Hungary

World ranking position: 77

Greatest success: Winner at the WTA 125 tournament in Hamburg (2024)

Anna Bondar (Ungarn)Hamburg, 19.07.2025, Tennis, WTA 250, MSC Hamburg Ladies Open 2025, Halblfinale, Damen, Einzel

LOIS
BOISSON

Age: 22

Born in: Dijon, France

World ranking position: 63

Greatest success: Semi-finalist at the French Open (2025)

 

Lois Boisson (Frankreich)Hamburg, 19.07.2025, Tennis, WTA 250, MSC Hamburg Ladies Open 2025, Halbfinale, Damen, Einzel

Balance sheet

1 : 1

Tip from the editors

40 : 60

Match Highlights

BOISSON

VS.

YASTREMSKA

Quote

LOIS BOISSON

BEST OF

SEMI-FINAL SATURDAY

Active City

Where sport and exercise come first

To keep not only the players on centre court active, Max Krause also got the audience moving yesterday with an "Active City Break". A rousing activation session provided fresh energy, a good mood and plenty of momentum in the stands. 

Quote

ANNA BONDAR

Double CRIME

Rus and Bondar in the final

Arantxa Rus and Anna Bondar fought a thrilling duel with the Austrian duo Sinja Kraus and Julia Grabher in yesterday's semi-final. After trailing 2:5 in the second set, they fought their way back into the match impressively - including defending a match point. In the end, the pair secured victory in the match tie-break and thus a well-deserved place in the doubles final of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open.

Nadija Kichenok (Ukraine) and Makoto Ninomiya (Japan) await in the final on Sunday - a final highlight on the centre court at the Rothenbaum.

OUR TEAM

A lot goes on behind the scenes at the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open - thanks to a well-coordinated team. This week we introduce you to various teams who make a decisive contribution to the tournament being able to take place at all.

Stadium entertainment

Tasks/ daily routine

The stadium entertainment team ensures that not only the sport shines on the centre court, but also the atmosphere. Whether welcoming the players, making announcements in the Public Village or during on-court interviews - they are the voice of the tournament and bring not only information but also a good mood to the game with emotion. 

Even before the first rally, the players are carefully researched in the background to ensure that every presentation is perfect. With their many years of experience and a keen sense of timing, they always manage to keep the centre court in the right mood.  

But it's not just on the centre court that the team ensures a good mood - they are also indispensable behind the scenes. Although they sit high up in the announcer's booth, they are present everywhere: on the court, in the tournament office or in the tournament press centre. With beaming faces, open ears and a cabin door that is always open, the three of them make our (editorial) team feel welcome and at ease.

The three M's: Mike, Matthias & Madde

Anecdotes

  • A sign hangs on the door to the speaker's booth: "The VERsprecher booth - open 24 hours a day."
  • In a particularly hot tournament year at the Rothenbaum, not only the players sat on the bench with ice towels, but also the announcers in their booth.
  • And when it got really late? Then they simply spent the night in the announcer's booth - because a real tournament atmosphere doesn't end with the last match ball.

And what makes it special?

Madde: "Meeting the Rothenbaum family - that's the only reason for me."

Matthias: "What makes us special as a team is the friendship that has grown over the years. No matter who is on the pitch - we accompany the Rothenbaum together, as a unit."

FASCINATION

Immerse yourself in places with "Destination Experiences"

With Explora Journeys' Destination Experiences, you don't just discover new places - you experience them with all your senses. Whether it's culinary encounters with local producers, private tours or moments in nature, each experience is carefully curated to create authentic insights, new perspectives and deeper connections.

EXCLUSIVE

THE VIP EXPERIENCE

In the stylish VIP Club with roof terrace, our guests not only enjoy a first-class view of the action on the centre court, but also an exclusive atmosphere in relaxed surroundings.

With premium seating, exquisite catering and high-quality drinks, every visit is a pleasure. The VIP area also offers the ideal setting for relaxed networking - combined with top-class sport at the highest level.

The combination of world-class tennis and personalised service makes the VIP Club an unforgettable highlight!

VOICES ON COURT

Strong voices, clear messages

Sport moves people - not only physically, but also socially. It can connect, integrate, encourage and initiate real change. This is exactly what the joint event was all about "VOICES ON COURT - THE HAMBURG EDITION" as part of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open.

The focus was on strong voices of strong women who are committed to equality, diversity and social participation. Tennis - as a stage for top performance, empowerment and role models - became a catalyst for important topics such as equal rights and the promotion of women's sport.

MOMENT OF ENJOYMENT

NESPRESSO enhances coffee breaks

Whether as a morning pick-me-up or as a stylish break in between - our official coffee partner NESPRESSO ensures excellent coffee enjoyment at the highest level at the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open.

With its flavourful creations, NESPRESSO creates special moments of pleasure for everyone: players, VIP guests and the entire tournament team start the day with the finest coffee - and treat themselves to a relaxing break in style in between.

SPECIAL

EXHIBITION MATCH

Are you ready for the comeback of the year at the Rothenbaum? Today at 12 noon, Hamburg tennis legend Tommy Haas returns home to play an exhibition against former US Open champion Dominic Thiem on the centre court of the Rothenbaum tennis stadium. As usual, tickets are valid for the whole day, i.e. for both the exhibition and the final matches of the WTA tournament. On this MSC Family Day, all children up to the age of 15 are admitted free of charge. Will we meet at the Rothenbaum today?

Tournament management with heart

CONCENTRATED FEMALE POWER

They are everywhere these days: Tournament Director Sandra Reichel and Tournament Ambassador Andrea Petkovic keep an eye on everything, are everywhere at the start and are the faces of the tournament.

Sandra Reichel & Andrea Petkovic

As Tournament Director, Sandra has overall responsibility for the organisation, staging and further development of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open - with all the big and small decisions that make this event possible.

ANEKDOTE

An unforgettable moment for her: the women's final in 2023. Noma Noha Akugue, coming out of qualifying, suddenly stood on centre court in front of 10,000 enthusiastic spectators - a tennis fairytale that left goosebumps. "Seeing how women's tennis can unfold such radiance - that's why I do this."

ABOUT THE TEAM

  • "For me, it's like family, my life. There are discussions - but in the end, everyone sticks together."

  • "What makes our team special is that everyone is passionate about the same thing."

  • And most importantly: "Strong alone, stronger together."

GROWTH

EUROPEAN SUMMER CUP

Saturday saw the grand final of the European Summer Cup - Europe's most traditional team competition in junior tennis. The U16 national teams competed against each other at the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open to secure a ticket to the European final in Mariánské Lázně (Czech Republic).

The starting signal for the decisive duel between Poland and Austria was given punctually at 9.30 am. In bright sunshine at Hamburg's Rothenbaum, the young players played high-class and exciting matches. In the end, the Polish team came out on top and deservedly secured their place in the European final.

The German team was also able to celebrate: with a commanding victory over Latvia, the hosts secured third place and crowned a strong performance in front of their home crowd.

Strong fight

Sinja Kraus & Julia Grabher

Even if it wasn't quite enough to reach the final at the Rothenbaum in the end, the two Austrians put in an impressive performance and provided the spectators with an exciting match to round off the semi-finals on Saturday. In a real tennis thriller, they were narrowly defeated by the experienced duo of Arantxa Rus and Anna Bondar - both former winners in Hamburg. Nevertheless, a strong performance from the two Austrians!

The tournament on TV

Live there!

The broadcast times at a glance:

The streaming service Tennis Channel will broadcast all matches live from the Rothenbaum via its platform (www.tennischannel.app). The centre court matches of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open 2025 are also available on Sky Germany live on TV and stream (the matches on the side courts including doubles can also be streamed).

DF1 will show the singles final and the exhibition match between Tommy Haas and Dominic Thiem.

PROGRAMME EDITORIAL

Have you read it yet?

Would you like to find out more about the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open and expand your knowledge of the tournament's top stars and young hopefuls? Then pick up a free copy at the Info-Point! Click on the button to access the online version of our programme.

Supporting programme
20 July 2025

Today on the plant

  • 10.30 am: Admission
  • 12.00 pm: Exhibition Match Tommy Haas - Dominic Thiem
  • 14.00 hrs: Individual final
  • Afterwards: Double final

On-site stand campaigns:

  • Explora Journeys: Competition - Scan the QR code and win board credit
  • MSC Cargo: Competition - Wheel of fortune with various giveaways
  • Lexus: Competition - Who will be the first to find the tennis ball in the all-electric Lexus RZ?
  • Westwing: Competition with prizes totalling over EUR 5,000

Mini-Cup by MSC

  • from 8.30 am: start of the game
  • 1.45 pm: Group photo of the MSC Mini Cup players