The Qualifying Round of the 2025 Hall of Fame Open began on Sunday with 16 matches in front of a record-breaking crowd at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Notably nine Americans advanced to the second round of qualifying, marking an exciting collection of rising stars at Newport. 

For the first time since the Virginia Slims took place in Newport during the 1990s, the Hall of Fame Open hosts both men’s and women’s professional tennis. In addition to bringing women’s professional tennis back to the Hall of Fame, the ITHF committed to raising the WTA 125 prize purse by 60 percent, to equal the ATP Challenger purse with the MARGARET Fund as a supporting sponsor of the Hall of Fame Open. The tournament joins Canberra as the highest prize total at the 125 level on both tours.

Olivia Lincer became the first woman in 35 years to advance at Newport, defeating Wild Card Anna Frey 6-2, 6-3. The 2015 International Tennis Hall of Fame 12U Grass Court Champion headlined the four women's matches that took place on Center Court.

Soon after, Alana Smith completed a come-from-behind victory 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 over Wild Card Victoria Hu. Haley Giavara won 7-5, 6-2 against Gabriela Lee in her first career grass court WTA 125 event. The women’s competition concluded with No. 2 seed Petra Hule defeating Makenna Jones 6-3, 5-7, 6-2. 

On the men’s side of the draw, all top 10 seeds collected victories into the next round. No. 8 seed Joshua Sheehy bested Wild Card and fellow countrymen Alex Finkelstein 7-6, (3) 4-6, 6-2 in a three-set thriller on Center Court. Another American, Rhode Island native Matt Kuhar, advanced into tomorrow’s competition, defeating Wally Thayne 6-3, 6-1 on Court No. 2. 

No. 5 and No.7 seeds Trey Hilderbrand and Quinn Vandecasteele won in straight set singles victories on Court No. 1. The Americans await Kuhar and Keisuke Saitoh, respectively, in their first appearance at Newport. 

For more results from Day 1 of qualifying visit our website.

The 2025 Hall of Fame Open continues today with the completion of the Qualifying Round and start of the Main Draw with play beginning at 11 a.m. Matches include the homecoming of tournament veterans such as 2022 Hall of Fame Open champion Maxime Cressy on Centre Court in addition to the Newport debut of former World No. 5 Genie Bouchard in doubles action. 

Prior to match play, arena host Blair Henley will conduct a Chat with Champions at 10:15 a.m. Chat with Champions takes place each day in the Ryl Iced Tea Fan Zone.

Tune into live action and content across the Infosys Hall of Fame Open social channels on Facebook and Instagram, as well as live on the Tennis One App.