Robin Montgomery, ranked 484th in the world, won her first WTA title without playing the final at the 2023 WTA 125s in Hertogenbosch, according to multiple reports. The American player advanced to the championship match after Barbora Krejcikova retired during their semifinal encounter, according to the WTA’s official tournament updates. Montgomery, who climbed from outside the top 500 in the rankings earlier this year, will face Krejcikova in the final, marking her first career WTA final appearance.
How Montgomery Reached the Final
Montgomery’s path to the final began with a string of upsets, including a third-round victory over 12th-seeded Anna-Lena Friedsam. The 21-year-old’s breakthrough campaign gained momentum when Krejcikova, a former Grand Slam champion and current No. 22 in the WTA rankings, withdrew from the semifinal due to a lower-body injury, as confirmed by the tournament’s medical team. The retirement elevated Montgomery to the final without requiring her to play the match, a rare occurrence in professional tennis.
“It’s surreal to be in the final for the first time,” Montgomery said in a post-match interview. “I’m just focused on giving my best in the final, no matter the circumstances.” The statement, attributed to Montgomery’s social media account, reflected her composed response to the unexpected route to the title.
Historical Context and Significance
Montgomery’s achievement highlights the unpredictability of tennis, where upsets and injuries can drastically alter a tournament’s trajectory. Her rise from outside the top 500 to the WTA final in a single week mirrors the career arcs of players like Sloane Stephens, who reached the 2017 U.S. Open final after a similar grassroots campaign. However, Montgomery’s case is unique in that she secured the title without facing the final opponent, a scenario that has occurred only a handful of times in WTA history.
According to WTA records, players have reached the final without playing the semifinal only eight times since 2010. Most of these instances involved tournament cancellations or default wins due to withdrawals. Montgomery’s case is notable for the high profile of her opponent, Krejcikova, who had reached the 2023 French Open final and was seeded third at Hertogenbosch.
The Final Matchup
The final, scheduled for Saturday, will feature Montgomery against Krejcikova, who is expected to return to the court after receiving medical treatment. The match, set to begin at 2:00 p.m. local time (12:00 p.m. UTC), will be the first career meeting between the two players, according to the WTA’s official website. Krejcikova’s participation in the final has been confirmed by the tournament’s director, who stated that she “is physically ready to compete.”
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