Polish Tennis Star Katarzyna Kawa Stages Comeback in Guangzhou

GUANGZHOU, China — Katarzyna Kawa, Poland’s 127th-ranked tennis player, achieved a stunning comeback against Hong Yi Cody Wong in the final round of qualifying for the WTA 250 tournament in Guangzhou on October 20, 2025.

Kawa faced significant challenges during the match, initially trailing 5-7, 4-5. With elimination looming, she managed to turn the tide. After winning the second set 7-6, she fought through a tense third set, ultimately winning 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-4. The match lasted for 2 hours and 44 minutes.

Despite the pressure, Kawa demonstrated resilience and skill. In her earlier match, she battled Xinyu Gao, the 179th ranked player, winning in a grueling three-set match of 0-6, 6-4, 7-5. Her victory against Gao secured her place in the final qualifying round.

During the match against Wong, Kawa started strong but lost the first set 5-7. Wong maintained a lead of 5-4 in the second set, putting Kawa on the defensive. However, Kawa’s determination pushed her through as she leveled the match.

Looking ahead, Kawa now moves to the main draw of the WTA 250 tournament, where she will face Katie Volynets, who is currently ranked 94th in the world.

The matches begin on Tuesday, October 21, and Kawa’s impressive performance gives her a significant boost as she approaches this next challenge.