PARIS, FRANCE — British tennis sensation Hannah Klugman has made history by reaching the Girls' Singles final at the 2025 French Open, becoming the first British player to do so in over a decade. The 16-year-old phenom secured her spot in the championship match after a hard-fought victory over Bulgaria's Rositsa Dencheva in the semifinals, winning 6-4, 7-5 on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
Klugman's remarkable run at Roland Garros has been fueled by inspiration from fellow Brit Jack Draper and the legendary Rafael Nadal, both of whom she credits for her mental and tactical growth. "Watching Jack's resilience and Rafa's fighting spirit on clay has been transformative for my game," Klugman said in her post-match press conference.
A Semifinal to Remember
The semifinal clash against Dencheva showcased Klugman's maturity beyond her years. After breaking early in the first set, she faced fierce resistance from the Bulgarian, who saved three set points before Klugman closed it out. The second set saw multiple momentum shifts:
- Dencheva broke first to lead 3-1
- Klugman responded with two breaks of her own
- Served for the match at 5-4 but was broken
- Regrouped to break again and serve out the match
"I knew I had to stay patient. Rositsa was playing incredible defense, but I trusted my game plan," Klugman explained. The match statistics revealed her dominance, with 32 winners to Dencheva's 18 and an impressive 65% success rate on first serves.
Draper and Nadal's Influence
Klugman's connection to Draper goes beyond fandom. The two have trained together at the National Tennis Centre in London, where Draper has mentored the rising star. "Jack's been amazing. He showed me how to construct points on clay and stay calm under pressure," she revealed.
Nadal's impact came through an unexpected practice session arranged by Klugman's coach. The 14-time French Open champion spent two hours working with Klugman on her topspin forehand and movement patterns. "Rafa taught me how to use the clay to my advantage. That hour changed my whole perspective," Klugman said.
Tactical Breakthroughs
Klugman's game has shown marked improvement in three key areas during this tournament:
- Heavier topspin on her forehand (averaging 2800 RPM)
- Improved first serve percentage (up from 58% to 67%)
- More effective drop shots (winning 72% of attempts)
The Road to the Final
Klugman's path to the final has been nothing short of spectacular. She dropped just one set en route, defeating:
- [R1] Maria Petrova (RUS) 6-2, 6-1
- [R2] Sofia Johnson (USA) 6-4, 6-3
- [QF] Li Na Zhang (CHN) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
- [SF] Rositsa Dencheva (BUL) 6-4, 7-5
Her quarterfinal comeback against Zhang particularly stood out. Down a set and 2-4 in the second, Klugman reeled off 10 of the next 12 games. "That's when I knew I belonged here. The crowd energy was unbelievable," she recalled.
The Championship Challenge
Klugman will face top-seeded American prodigy Jessica Townsend in Saturday's final. Townsend, who hasn't dropped a set all tournament, presents a formidable challenge with her powerful baseline game. However, Klugman remains undaunted: "I've worked too hard to be intimidated. This is why we play - for moments like these."
British tennis legend Tim Henman, commentating for Eurosport, praised Klugman's development: "What impresses me most is her tennis IQ. She's reading the game like a veteran and making adjustments mid-match that some pros never learn."
A Bright Future Ahead
Regardless of Saturday's outcome, Klugman has announced she will turn professional after Wimbledon's junior event. Her performance at Roland Garros has already earned her a wildcard into Wimbledon qualifying and boosted her WTA ranking to around 450.
The LTA has fast-tracked Klugman into their Pro Scholarship Programme, the highest level of support for British players. Performance director Michael Bourne stated: "Hannah exemplifies the new generation of British tennis. Her work ethic and court craft are exceptional."
As Paris prepares for the Girls' Singles final, all eyes will be on Court Philippe-Chatrier where Klugman aims to become Britain's first French Open junior champion since 1965. With her blend of tactical intelligence, fighting spirit, and now clay-court prowess, many are calling her the most complete British junior since Andy Murray.
When asked about her ultimate goals, Klugman smiled: "Right now, it's one match at a time. But yes, I dream of holding trophies here as a pro someday - maybe even against Rafa in the men's final!"