Ashlyn Krueger makes Top 40 debut behind Abu Dhabi final run

Ashlyn Krueger continues to build on her breakout performance at last summer's US Open, where she reached the third round. After reaching quarterfinals in Brisbane and Adelaide to begin her 2025 campaign, the 20-year-old American advanced to the biggest final of her career this past weekend at the WTA 500 in Abu Dhabi.

Krueger beat third seed Daria Kasatkina and eighth seed Leylah Fernandez en route to Saturday's final, in which she took the opening set before dropping a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 decision to Belinda Bencic. The American's first three wins at the event came in three sets, including a comeback victory against world No. 12 Kasatkina.

Behind her four wins in Abu Dhabi, Krueger climbed 11 places to a new career high of No. 40 in the WTA rankings. Now 10-5 in main-draw matches this season, Krueger was competing in her second tour-level final. She won her previous title match, claiming her maiden WTA trophy by beating Zhu Lin in Osaka, Japan, in September 2023.

At the 2024 US Open, Krueger picked up her first two Grand Slam main-draw singles wins by beating Zhang Shuai and No. 21 seed Mirra Andreeva.

A junior singles champion at the 2020 Orange Bowl and a junior doubles titlist at the 2021 US Open, Krueger now counts Jessica Pegula as mentor as she continues to rise the ranks at the pro level.

"She’s helped me more on the mental side, with like telling me I belong here, and just really helping me find my place," Krueger said of her countrywoman last season. "And that’s half the battle when you get to these tournaments."