Adrien Rassenfosse (Photo WTT)
Twenty-two-year-old Belgian ace Adrien Rassenfosse, old laid claim to his first singles title with a stunning comeback 9-11, 2-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6 win against Filip Zeljkoon a dramatic final day at WTT Feeder Düsseldorf.
Rassenfosse, who made headlines at Europe Smash – Sweden 2025 with his astonishing win over Chinese superstar Liang Jingkun, was pushed to his limits multiple times this week in Düsseldorf.
Coming through nervy encounters against Sota Noda and Samuel Walker, with both matches going to a decider, Rassenfosse picked up the pace from the quarterfinals onwards, taking down Andre Bertelsmeier and Ricardo Walther in straight games.
The Belgian would be taken down to the wire again in the title match, with his opponent Filip Zeljko looking the more likely early on. Zeljko would lock up the opening two games, needing just one more to end Rassenfosse’s dream, but a remarkable turnaround would see Rassenfosse flip the match on its head.
Raising his fist to the roof with an epic roar, Rassenfosse received resounding applause for his efforts, and now returns home a WTT Feeder Series event champion.
While Rassenfosse’s journey to the title was all about perseverance, over in the women’s singles event the honours went to Yuka Kaneyoshi, who dropped just one game along the way.
The 19-year-old Japanese player began the week in qualifying where no one could lay a glove on her. Then, in the main draw Kaneyoshi surprised No.2 seed Annett Kaufmann on her way to the final where she finished the job in style, outclassing top seed Anna Hursey 11-3, 11-3, 11-2.
Kaneyoshi, whose last title success came on the WTT Youth Series back in 2024, collects her first senior title, and it could well be the first of many if she keeps up the pace.
