#MargaritaGasparyan’s story is an inspirational one — after starting the year outside the top-1000 due to a series of unfortunate injuries, the Russian managed to work her way back into the top-100 step-by-step, beginning with the ITF tournaments before slowly progressing onto the bigger stages as her ranking also gradually improved.
The one-handed backhand star amassed a decent 27-12 (.692) overall win-loss record throughout the year but her record in WTA tournaments is even more impressive at 17-7. She claimed the first top-10 win of her career and claimed a WTA title, sealing a return back into the top-100 with some consistent results despite not receiving the limelight from the international media.
High Points of the Season
Gasparyan started her comeback trail at the ITF 25k event in Karshi, where she stormed to the semifinals without losing a set having got past the qualifying rounds. Although she was forced to retire with an injury, it was an extremely confidence-boosting run for the Russian who rose 300 places by virtue of her performance.
Her last ITF tournament before transitioning back onto the WTA tour was played at Les Franqueses del Valles, and Gasparyan reached her first final of the year after losing just six games in the process. Despite falling in the final to Paula Badosa Gilbert, it was a rather impressive tournament for Gasparyan who had to battle past the qualifiers as well.
Gasparyan finally made her long-awaited return onto the WTA tour after more than two years of absence. Entering the Jiangxi International Women’s Tennis Open with a protected ranking, the Russian was triumphant on her return as she eased past local qualifier Xu Shilin in straight sets but ultimately came off second-best against top seed Zhang Shuai in the second round.
The Russian, famous for her world-class one-handed backhand, continued to prove her worth through another strong showing at the Connecticut Open where she upset top-50 player Hsieh Su-wei to reach the final qualifying rounds but was outhit by Monica Puig in three sets. Nonetheless, it was a great lead-up to the US Open where she entered the main draw with a protected ranking once again.
However, Gasparyan ran out of luck as she was drawn against world number four Angelique Kerber in the opening round but it was set up to be a thriller for most. The Russian put up a serious challenge against the German and challenged her authority on the court, but still failed to find the win. Nonetheless, her performance provided her fans with more confidence as she showed that she can still challenge the best players.
Despite being ranked outside the top-300 of the rankings, Gasparyan actively participated in WTA tournaments as she had a protected ranking which she could use to enter the events. She competed at the Korea Open but fell in the second round to the hard-hitting Maria Sakkari in straight sets.
Gasparyan’s best week of 2018 came at the Tashkent Open. She had to retrieve from a huge 1-4 deficit in the final set against fifth seed Tatjana Maria, before going on to stun Fanny Stollar and Mona Barthel to reach the first WTA final of her comeback. The Russian faced doubles partner and compatriot Anastasia Potapova in an all-Russian final and her experience paid off as she seemed to be firing on all cylinders — grabbing the title with a one-sided 6-2, 6-1 win and therefore becoming the second-lowest ranked player to win a WTA title as she came into the week ranked 299.
Benefitting from Monica Puig’s retirement in the first round of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz, Gasparyan went on to stun world number 10 Kiki Bertens in three sets for the biggest win in her career. She failed to end her Cinderella run on a high, though, as eventual champion Camila Giorgi proved to be too strong in the quarterfinals.
Gasparyan opted to end the regular WTA season at the BGL Luxembourg Open, and she excelled on the European Indoor hardcourts as she exacted for her Seoul loss against Maria Sakkari in straight sets. She reached her second consecutive quarterfinal but was outclassed by the in-form Dayana Yastremska. Nonetheless, her impressive stretch of results brought her closer than ever to a top-100 return.
Determined to get herself back into the top-100 and secure a spot in the main draw of the 2019 Australian Open, Gasparyan opted to participate in the WTA 125k events held during the off-season. She reached the semifinals in both the L&T Mumbai Open and the Open de Limoges and successfully ended the year ranked 92nd.
Low Points of the Season
Gasparyan’s first opening-round exit of the year came at the ITF 100k event held in Khimki, where she fell to teenage sensation Anastasia Potapova in a blockbuster opener. The Russian then went to Monzon for another small-scale ITF 25k tournament but failed to find much success there as she was defeated in the quarterfinals.
It has been a relatively successful year for Gasparyan, who did not experience many low points throughout her season.
Season Grade: A-
For someone like Gasparyan who has struggled with a problematic knee for the past two years, it is extremely tough to get back onto the professional circuit once again. However, the Russian defied the odds and worked her way back to the biggest stages of the sport. Gasparyan has been impressing fans from all over the world during her comeback, putting up solid and consistent results and therefore deserves this season grade of A-.
Who would have expected Gasparyan to secure a spot in the main draw of the 2019 Australian Open after starting 2018 outside the top-1000? Her story brings out a motivational message: No matter how unfortunate the situation seems, hard work will prevail over the circumstance ultimately.
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