ORTISEI/STARNBERG, November 29, 2025
Eva Guerrero Alvarez delivered a week of tennis brilliance in Ortisei, capturing the Sparkasse ITF Val Gardena Südtirol title with a dominant performance that combined raw power, tactical clarity, and irresistible charm. The 26-year-old Spaniard claimed the $40,000 crown without dropping a single set across five matches, securing €5,634 in prize money and 50 valuable WTA Ranking points that move her one step closer to breaking back into the Top 200 – and toward a potential Australian Open qualifying spot.
In Saturday’s final, Guerrero Alvarez defeated Canada’s Kayla Cross 6-4, 6-4, ending the 20-year-old’s attempt at the rare “double” after Cross had already lifted the doubles trophy. The Spaniard relied on her heavy serve and rock-solid backhand, absorbing the youngster’s aggressive pace and striking back with precision at key moments.
“She came out hitting hard and making almost no mistakes,” Guerrero Alvarez said with a smile as she polished her trophy. “Her speed gave me trouble at first, but I adjusted.” The win caps one of the most complete weeks of her career and continues her upward trend after strong results in Funchal, Rovereto, and Italy’s Serie A1.
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Cross, visibly fatigued after two demanding tournament weeks, still showcased her enormous potential throughout the event. She compensated for the singles defeat with a thrilling doubles title alongside Anna Rogers, winning 7-6(4), 7-6(7) against Italy’s young duo Samira De Stefano and Gaia Maduzzi. The Italians nearly stole the show by saving six match points and pushing both sets into tiebreaks, igniting the hall with their fearless shotmaking.
Guerrero Alvarez, meanwhile, created headlines beyond her tennis. When she suddenly needed a sparring partner before the final, TC Urtijëi’s newly elected president Andreas Wieser stepped onto the court himself. After the victory, the Spaniard joked: “If I had lost, you might have been partly to blame. Now that I won… you might still be!”
The tournament offered storylines everywhere. Britain’s rising star Mimi Xu reached the semifinals with impressively mature all-court play. The Jorge sisters from Portugal staged a rare sibling showdown, with elder sister Francisca edging past Matilde in three sets. Local players also made their mark: Laura Mair earned a main-draw win, while 16-year-old Greta De Angeli thrilled home fans with a first-round doubles victory alongside Micol Salvadori.
The atmosphere in South Tyrol was electric throughout the week, culminating in an emotional trophy ceremony. Tournament director Ambros Hofer honored long-time president Patrizia Mairhofer, who was moved to tears, while FITP Südtirol representative Roland Sandrin praised the flawless organization and reaffirmed support for future editions.
Despite long days that stretched past midnight and little sleep for supervisor Pier Luigi Grana and the organizing committee, OK chief Martina Moser summed it up best: “The level was incredibly high. Many players are hunting Grand Slam points. Mimi Xu impressed me – and we will definitely see more of Kayla Cross.”
There is little time to rest in the Dolomites. Tomorrow, just a short drive away, Selva Gardena hosts the next $40,000 event, the second and final ITF World Tennis Tour tournament of the Gröden double. Guerrero Alvarez, Cross, and the Peer sisters will all return to action.
