USA winner Ann Li (R) and New Zealand's Lulu Sun after the Guangzhou Open tennis women's singles final. Photo: AFP
Lulu Sun has fallen short of ending a 12-year drought for New Zealand tennis, beaten in the final at the WTA Guangzhou Open in China.
Sun went down 7-6, 6-2 to American second-seed Ann Li, denying Sun's attempt to become the first New Zealander to win a WTA Tour-level singles title since Marina Erakovic, in Memphis in 2013.
It was still a successful week for Sun, who was forced to qualify for the main draw, playing a total of six matches across the tournament and spending more than eight and a half hours on court.
She beat four higher-ranked opponents, including top seeded Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, to reach her second career WTA final.
Sun's ranking is forecast to climb from 116 to 87, which would secure her a place in the main draw at the Australian Open in January.
Before then, she is scheduled to contest Auckland's ASB Classic.
"Congrats to Ann," Sun said at the post-match trophy presentation.
"She was obviously the greater player today, and she's had an amazing season as well.
"It was a very positive week for me, nonetheless. It was wonderful atmosphere, wonderful people and organisation as well. So even though today is a little bit disappointing, I'm pretty happy with my week."
Sun will contest next week's Chennai Open in India.
There will be little time for Sun to dwell on this result, as she is playing in Chennai, India next week and has been drawn against a qualifier in the opening round.
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