Kim Yu-jin captured the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour doubles title in Singapore on October 31, 2026, reuniting with Taiwanese partner Fang An-lin after a three-year gap to defeat Nagi Hanatani and Jingjing Lu 2-0 (6-1, 6-1) in the final at the Kallang Tennis Hub, OSEN reported.
Kallang Tennis Hub Final Dominance
Seeded third in the tournament, Kim and Fang dropped just a single game in each set against the fourth-seeded pairing of Japan’s Hanatani and China’s Lu. The commanding victory sealed Kim’s third career ITF World Tennis Tour doubles title and her second international trophy of the 2026 season, following a singles victory at the W15 Yeongwol 2nd event in September. Operating out of the Asics Tennis Academy under coach Woo Choong-hyo, Kim combined aggressive net play with disciplined court positioning to dictate the championship match from the baseline.
Struggles and Resilience in the Opening Round
The path to the trophy presented immediate challenges during the opening round on the hard courts of Singapore. Facing Japan’s Anri Nagata and Remika Ohashi, Kim and Fang secured the first set 7-5 before dropping the second 5-7. The pair recovered in the decisive match tiebreak, pulling away to a 10-3 scoreline to avoid an early exit. That three-set struggle remained the only major blemish on their tournament run as the partnership quickly rediscovered the chemistry that first brought them success in Egypt three years prior.
Historical Partnership Renewed Across Continents
The Singapore victory marks the second time Kim and Fang have claimed an ITF doubles title together. Their first shared triumph came in 2023 at a W15 tournament in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Kim subsequently added another Sharm El-Sheikh doubles title in 2024 alongside Lee Eun-hye. The latest pairing increases Kim’s total career ITF titles to five, encompassing two singles trophies and three doubles crowns. Singapore holds a special place in the 21-year-old South Korean’s career records, having served as the site of her first international singles title in August 2025.
Management Assessment and Rankings Impact
Drench representative Won Kyung-seop, who manages Kim’s professional career, noted the steady progression in the player’s tactical versatility. Won pointed to her ability to secure four consecutive comeback wins during her singles campaign in Yeongwol as evidence of a maturing match-management style that now translates seamlessly to the doubles court. The title adds vital ranking points for Kim as she works to climb back toward her career-high doubles ranking of No. 673, achieved in June. Supported by the Chungnam Provincial Government and Asics equipment sponsorships, Kim’s schedule moves into late-season conditioning and preparation ahead of the 2027 competitive calendar.
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