Under brilliant sunshine and perfect tennis conditions, the Hall of Fame Open’s semifinal Saturday delivered everything fans could hope for: comeback victories, dominant performances, and the promise of compelling championship matches ahead.
The day’s marquee moment came on Center Court when Caty McNally staged a remarkable comeback against Elizabeth Mandlik. After dropping the opening set 1-6, McNally found her rhythm to claim the next two sets 7-5, 6-4 in a match that showcased the grit that carried her to a standout Wimbledon performance against eventual champion Iga Swiatek.
“What a privilege, what an honor to play here at the Hall of Fame,” McNally said after securing her spot in Sunday’s final. “I’m just so happy I’m able to put these matches together after being out for so long. It means a lot to just be in a final, put myself out there, give myself a chance to win a tournament.”
McNally’s opponent in the women’s singles final will be top seed Tatjana Maria, who continued her dominant Newport run with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory over Carol Zhao. The German, fresh off her Queens championship triumph over Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova, is riding a wave of grass court success that has her positioned for back-to-back titles on the surface.
In the men’s semifinals, experience met youthful ambition as defending champion Adrian Mannarino showcased his grass court mastery against fellow Frenchman Antoine Ghibaudo. The fourth seed’s 6-2, 7-5 victory was built on clinical break point conversion — seven of eight opportunities taken — as he advanced to his first final of 2025.
Standing between Mannarino and a second Newport title is 22-year-old Zachary Svajda, who dispatched fifth seed Eliot Spizzirri 6-3, 6-4 with an impressive serving display that saw him win 83 percent of first serve points while saving all five break points he faced.
“I like [the grass in Newport] a lot. It suits my game well,” Svajda reflected. “I don’t play a lot on grass. Today I had to serve well, keep being aggressive. I tried to come in a little bit more.”
The doubles draws provided their own drama, with both women’s semifinals requiring decisive superset tiebreaks. Third-seeded Arianne Hartono and Prarthana Thombare rallied from a set down to defeat Kayla Cross and Maribella Zamarripa 4-6, 6-3, 12-10, while the fourth-seeded Corley sisters — Carmen and Ivana — completed their own comeback against second seeds Makenna Jones and Anna Rogers, 4-6, 6-1, 10-7.
In men’s doubles, top seeds Robert Cash and JJ Tracy proved their mettle with back-to-back victories on Saturday, first needing a superset to overcome Spizzirri and Mac Kiger 6-7 (5), 6-1, 10-7, then following up with a 6-4, 7-6 (7) win over Trey Hilderbrand and Blake Bayldon.
Sunday’s finals promise compelling storylines across all four draws. McNally seeks her second WTA 125 singles title, while Maria hunts for her fifth career WTA-level trophy. The men’s final pits Mannarino’s championship experience against Svajda’s rising talent, with the young American looking to capture his first title at the 125 level.
As Newport’s grass courts prepare to crown their 2025 champions, Saturday’s semifinals have set the stage for what promises to be a memorable Championship Sunday at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Championship Sunday begins with women’s doubles at 11 a.m., followed by men’s and women’s singles finals and men’s doubles. Full order of play and player information available at halloffameopen.com.
