Teen Sensation Lilli Tagger Faces Viktorija Golubic in Jiujiang Semifinal

Lilli Tagger and Viktorija Golubic are set for a rare one-handed backhand duel at the 2025 WTA Jiujiang Open semifinals.

Generations Collide: Lilli Tagger to Challenge Viktorija Golubic in Jiujiang Semifinal Showdown

A rare and exciting clash awaits at the WTA Jiujiang Open this weekend, as 17 year old wild card Lilli Tagger faces Switzerland’s experienced Viktorija Golubic for a spot in the final. It’s a battle between two elegant one-handed backhands  and two very different tennis generations.

Jiujiang, China — November 1, 2025:
The tennis world is buzzing ahead of Saturday’s semifinal at the Jiangxi Open, where 17 year old Austrian prodigy Lilli Tagger will go head to head with 33 year old Swiss maestro Viktorija Golubic. What makes this encounter so special? Both players wield the rare and graceful one-handed backhand, a stroke that has all but vanished in modern women’s tennis.

Tagger, currently ranked No. 235, has taken the tournament by storm in her WTA main-draw debut. The young Austrian hasn’t dropped a single set all week, impressing fans and pundits alike with her clean ball-striking, clever court craft, and fearless composure under pressure. Her straight-set win over Tamara Korpatsch showcased not just her shot-making, but also her poise in crucial moments  

even surviving a dramatic overturned match point before finally sealing victory.

Meanwhile, Golubic, ranked No. 53, continues to remind everyone why she’s one of the most technically gifted players on tour. The defending champion clawed her way back from 5–1 down in the first set to defeat No. 5 seed Yulia Putintseva, describing the match as a “strategic and psychological battle.” Her patience, variety, and tactical IQ remain her greatest strengths on the slower hard courts of Jiujiang. 

After her quarterfinal win, Golubic praised her teenage opponent, saying,

“Golubic said she really enjoys watching young players who still use the one-handed backhand, noting that it’s something rarely seen in today’s game. Lilli has great feel for the game, and it’s exciting to face someone who shares that same style.”

Tagger’s rise has been meteoric. This year alone, she’s won three ITF titles and claimed her first Top-100 victory over Elisabetta Cocciaretto earlier in the week. Coached by former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, Tagger has cited Roger Federer as her childhood inspiration and her smooth technique certainly reflects that influence.

As the two prepare to meet, tennis fans can expect a showcase of artistry and intelligence, rather than just power. Golubic’s experience may give her the edge, but Tagger’s youthful confidence and rhythm could make this semifinal a classic.

The match airs live on T2 and will be streamed on Fubo, running from October 25 to November 2 as part of the Jiangxi Open coverage.

Whether you’re cheering for the young challenger or the defending champion, one thing’s certain.  this will be a masterclass in elegant, old-school tennis.