Olivia Gadecki's fairytale run in Mexico concluded with a mix of regret and satisfaction, going down in her maiden WTA final in what has been a memorable breakthrough week.
Trouncing the likes of 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens and world No.10 Danielle Collins to land an unexpected but deserved opportunity for silverware, Gadecki's aggressive tennis has been the blueprint for her recent success.
The 22-year-old was in the fight from the first ball, but could not withstand Poland's Magdalena Fręch's experience as the Aussie fell 7-6(5), 6-4 at the Guadalajara Open.
Fręch, 26, was consistent on serve throughout the tense final, producing numbers in the 60s for first serve percentage and first and second serve percentage points - edging her over the line in the first-set tiebreak.
Gadecki, who qualified for the tournament, had only dropped one set across the event, and her relentless determination helped her save a match point and break serve for 4-5 after the Aussie found herself 2-0 to the good in the second set.
The pressure grew at an all-time high, resulting in Gadecki handing over another break and conceding defeat.
"This is quite humbling. Massive congrats to Magdalena; you played very well," Gadecki said during the trophy ceremony, who became the first Australian female to appear in a WTA final event since Ash Barty in 2022.
"You (the crowd) made me feel the love and I'm so happy I've been able to play my first final here.
"Thank you to my family back home for supporting me and my team in London staying up all night to watch me, I really appreciate it."
Gadecki remains at a career-high world No.88, rising 64 spots in the WTA rankings since the tournament commenced.
She will receive a life-changing sum of AU$130,000 in prize money, while Fręch will take home AU$211,000 and shoot up towards her own career-high of world No.32.
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