Guerrero Alvarez Shines in Val Gardena and Even Makes the President Sweat
29.11.25
Newly crowned tournament champion Eva Guerrero Alvarez celebrates the biggest triumph of her career in Ortisei, leaving the perfectly organized ITF tournament with her head held high. The 26-year-old Spaniard wins the $40,000 event, pockets €5,634 in prize money, and dazzles spectators with five commanding matches without losing a single set.
In the final, she defeats Canadian Kayla Cross 6–4, 6–4, stopping the 20-year-old from achieving the hoped-for double after she had already claimed the doubles title. As she has all week, Guerrero Alvarez relies on her powerful serve and rock-solid backhand, prevailing against an opponent who attacks bravely but produces too many unforced errors at key moments.
“She came out hitting hard and barely made any mistakes,” Guerrero Alvarez explains as she smiles and polishes the trophy. “I struggled with her pace at first, but I adjusted.” She collects 50 valuable ranking points, moves a step closer to the Top 200, and is already eyeing qualification for the Australian Open.
Off the court, she charms just as reliably. When she suddenly needs a sparring partner to prepare for the final, none other than the new TC Urtijëi president Andreas Wieser steps in. “If I had lost, you’d have been partly to blame,” the Spaniard joked. “Now that I’ve won…?” — “...you still get a little of the credit,” laughed Guerrero Alvarez, sparking broad smiles in the clubhouse.
The tournament week offers plenty of stories. Canadian Cross looks a bit tired in the final but shows enormous potential with her aggressive style, consoling herself with the doubles title. Great Britain’s Mimi Xu, just 18, impresses with her elegant all-court game and reaches the semifinals. Portugal’s Francisca and Matilde Jorge face off in a rare sister duel, with the older sister keeping her nerve in the third set.
The local players also make an impact. Lisa Peer shows lots of talent in qualifying against Carlotta Moccia, though still too many unforced errors. Laura Mair battles to a main-draw win but struggles with the adjustment to the fast indoor courts and the altitude. Spectators flock to the superb hall in Runggaditsch, creating lively atmosphere especially during the matches of the South Tyroleans and the final rounds.
One of the host club TC Urtijëi’s own players, Greta De Angeli, even takes part. In doubles, the 16-year-old and her equally young partner Micol Salvadori score an impressive opening win and gain valuable experience for the future.
The doubles final delivers pure drama. Kayla Cross and Ana Rogers claim the title, but young Italians Samira De Stefano and Gaia Maduzzi save six match points and push both sets to tiebreaks—a small feat that sends the hall into a frenzy.
Emotions run high at the awards ceremony when tournament director Ambros Hofer honors longtime president Patrizia Mairhofer, bringing “Miss TC Urtijëi” to tears. Roland Sandrin of FITP Südtirol praises the organization and promises continued support.
Tournament chief Martina Moser and her hardworking team pull off an event that, in the early days, runs well past midnight, leaving supervisor Pier Luigi Grana and the organizing team with little sleep. “The level was incredibly high,” says Moser. “Many players are chasing points to get into the Grand Slams. Mimi Xu impressed me, and we’ll definitely be seeing more of Cross.”
And tomorrow it already continues: the next $40,000 tournament starts in Selva, the second and last major women’s event in Val Gardena this year. Alongside Guerrero Alvarez and Cross, Lisa and Julia Peer as well as Laura Mair will be competing again. The altitude will remain the same—and the stories too: exciting, emotional, and a little crazy. Just the way tennis sometimes has to be.
SINGLES SEMIFINALS
Mimi Xu (GBR) - Kayla Cross (CAN) [5] 46 46
Francisca Jorge (POR) [3] - Eva Guerrero Alvarez (ESP) 46 26
SINGLES FINALS
Kayla Cross (CAN) [5] - Eva Guerrero Alvarez (ESP) 46 46
DOUBLES FINALS
Samira De Stefano/Gaia Maduzzi
vs. Kayla Cross (CAN) [2] / Anna Rogers (USA) [2] 67 (4) 67 (7)
