Varvara Lepchenko

Varvara Petrivna Lepchenko (; born May 21, 1986) is an American professional tennis player. She formerly played for Uzbekistan, and she is of Ukrainian descent. She has won 13 ITF singles titles and one ITF doubles title.
Early life and junior career.
Lepchenko was born into a Ukrainian family residing in Tashkent in 1986 and started playing tennis at age seven; her father Petr became her coach. She reached a junior career high of No. 244 on January 5, 2004. She turned pro in 2001.
Professional career.
2006–2011.
In 2006, she reached the second round of the US Open, and later that year, on October 2, she was ranked world No. 84. She has won eleven ITF titles in her career, all in the United States. Her most recent title came in 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri.
In the 2009 MPS Group Championships, as a lucky loser, she upset the 4th seed Patty Schnyder in the first round. She also reached the final of an ITF tournament in Cuneo this year.
Lepchenko reached the second rounds of the French Open and Wimbledon in 2010. She lost to Dominika Cibulková and Alona Bondarenko respectively. In 2011, Lepchenko recorded the biggest win of her career by defeating 18th seed Flavia Pennetta in the first round of the French Open.
2012: Breakthrough at the French Open.
Lepchenko started the year at the ASB Classic. She lost in the second round of qualifying to Anne Keothavong. In Sydney at the Apia International Sydney, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round of qualifying by Maria Kirilenko. Coming through qualifying at the Australian Open, Lepchenko lost in the first round to twentieth seed Daniela Hantuchová.
Seeded 7 for qualifying at the Open GDF Suez, Lepchenko lost in the final round of qualifying to top seed Mona Barthel, 3–6, 4–6. However, Lepchenko received entry as a lucky loser into the main draw. She was defeated in the first round by compatriot Christina McHale 6–4, 7–5. At the Qatar Total Open, Lepchenko advanced to the third round where she lost to world No. 6 Agnieszka Radwańska, 5–7, 1–6, after holding set points in the first set. Her next tournament was the Memphis International where she made the quarterfinals and lost to Italian Alberta Brianti, 5–7, 3–6.
After qualifying for the main draw at the Mutua Madrid Open she beat 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone in three sets in the first round. She then defeated Shahar Pe'er, 7–6, 6–4, and Anabel Medina Garrigues, 6–1, 6–7, 6–3. Lepchenko's run was ended by Agnieszka Radwańska, 4–6, 4–6. After the tournament she rose to a career high No. 59.
She started her French Open with a 6–2, 6–7, 6–4 win over the also unseeded Ksenia Pervak. In round 2, she upset 19 seed and former world No. 1, Jelena Janković, 7–6, 4–6, 6–4. In round 3, she defeated 14th seed 2010 French Open champion and defending finalist Francesca Schiavone, 3–6, 6–3, 8–6. In round 4, she lost to fourth seed and 2011 Wimbledon Champion Petra Kvitová, 2–6, 1–6, however, it was a breakthrough tournament for Lepchenko as she had never advanced further than the second round of a Grand Slam tournament previously.
Her next tournament was the Wimbledon Championships, where in the first round she defeated Austrian Patricia Mayr-Achleitner, 6–2, 6–3. In the second round she defeated 31st seed and former top-20 player, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 7–6, 6–4. Lepchenko's next match was against defending champion Petra Kvitová, where she lost in straight sets, 1–6, 0–6.
Varvara Lepchenko advanced to the second round of the Mercury Insurance Open after defeating Nicole Gibbs, 6–3, 6–1. She lost in the quarterfinals to Nadia Petrova, 4–6, 6–2, 6–7.
Lepchenko then advanced to the third round of the US Open, where she was defeated in straight sets by defending champion Samantha Stosur.
2013.
Lepchenko began the year by playing at the Brisbane International. She lost in the first round to third seed, compatriot, and eventual champion Serena Williams. In Sydney at the Apia International Sydney, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round by Ekaterina Makarova. Seeded twenty-first at the Australian Open, Lepchenko lost in the second round to Elena Vesnina. However, in doubles, she and her partner, Zheng Saisai, reached the semifinals where they lost to Australian wildcards Ashleigh Barty/Casey Dellacqua.
Playing in the Fed Cup tie against Italy, Lepchenko won both of her matches over Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani. However, Lepchenko's two wins were not enough as the USA fell to Italy 2-3. At the Qatar Total Open, Lepchenko retired in her first round match against Klára Zakopalová due to an upper respiratory illness. In Dubai at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Lepchenko lost in the first round to Hsieh Su-wei. Seeded twenty-second at the BNP Paribas Open, Lepchenko received a bye into the second round where she was defeated by Lara Arruabarrena. Seeded twenty-fifth at the Sony Open Tennis, Lepchenko again received a bye to the second round. She defeated Irina-Camelia Begu before losing in the third round to fifth seed Li Na.
Lepchenko began her clay-court season at the Family Circle Cup. Seeded twelfth, she was defeated in the third round by fifth seed and compatriot Venus Williams. Seeded sixth at the Portugal Open, Lepchenko lost in the first round to Svetlana Kuznetsova. In Madrid at the Mutua Madrid Open, Lepchenko upset twelfth seed Roberta Vinci in the first round. After she was handed a walkover when Julia Görges withdrew due to illness, she was defeated in the third round by seventh seed Sara Errani, 7–5, 6–3. At the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Lepchenko lost in the second round to 12th seed Maria Kirilenko, 3–6, 1–6. Seeded 7 at the Brussels Open, Lepchenko advanced to the quarterfinals defeating Bojana Jovanovski and wildcard Elena Baltacha. She was defeated then by eventual champion Kaia Kanepi, 6–3, 4–6, 7–6. Seeded 29 at the French Open, Lepchenko reached the third round after wins over Mirjana Lučić-Baroni and Elina Svitolina. She lost there to 8th seed and last year quarterfinalist Angelique Kerber, 4–6, 7–6, 4–6.
Lepchenko played only one grass-court tournament before Wimbledon. At the Aegon International, she lost in the first round to Heather Watson, 3–6, 4–6. Seeded 26 at the Wimbledon Championships, Lepchenko was defeated by Czech qualifier Eva Birnerová, 6–2, 4–6, 6–4.
Lepchenko began her US Open series at the Bank of the West Classic. Seeded 6, and after beating qualifier Michelle Larcher de Brito and Tamira Paszek, she lost in the quarterfinals to top seed and eventual finalist Agnieszka Radwańska, 6–7), 6–3, 3–6. At the Southern California Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round by 5th seed and eventual champion Samantha Stosur 7–5, 6–1. At the Rogers Cup, Lepchenko lost in the second round to Magdaléna Rybáriková, 4–6, 2–6. She played her final tournament before the US Open at the Western & Southern Open. She won over Flavia Pennetta, 6–2, 2–6, 6–2, and lost in the second round to fourth seed Agnieszka Radwańska, 4–6, 0–6. Ranked 35 at the US Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round by world No. 214, Alexandra Dulgheru, 6–7, 6–2, 7–6.
Seeded 7 at the Guangzhou International Women's Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round by world No. 105, Tímea Babos, 7–6, 7–5. Lepchenko lost her first round match at the Toray Pan Pacific Open to Japanese wildcard Misaki Doi, 7–6, 0–6, 5–7. Lepchenko had her first win since Cincinnati at the China Open when she beat wildcard Heather Watson in the first round, 1–6, 6–3, 6–3. In the second round, she lost to 9th seed Petra Kvitová 6–2, 2–6, 0–6. At the HP Open, Lepchenko lost in the first round to fifth seed and eventual finalist Eugenie Bouchard, 3–6, 0–6. Lepchenko played her final tournament of the year at the Kremlin Cup. She lost in the first round to Russian wildcard Alisa Kleybanova, 7–6, 4–6, 4–6.
Lepchenko ended the year ranked No. 53.
2014: First WTA final.
Lepchenko began her 2014 season at the Brisbane International. She lost in the first round to Elina Svitolina. In Sydney at the Apia International Sydney, Lepchenko was defeated in the final round of qualifying by compatriot Victoria Duval. However, due to her compatriot, Sloane Stephens, pulling out of the tournament due to a left wrist injury, Lepchenko got herself a lucky loser spot into the main draw. She beat Svetlana Kuznetsova in the first round. She was defeated in the second round by qualifier and eventual champion Tsvetana Pironkova. At the Australian Open, Lepchenko lost in the second round to eleventh seed Simona Halep.
In Qatar at the Qatar Total Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round by Kaia Kanepi. At the Dubai Tennis Championships, Lepchenko lost in the first round of qualifying to Maryna Zanevska. Playing in Indian Wells at the BNP Paribas Open, Lepchenko reached the third round after wins over qualifier Alison Van Uytvanck and twenty-ninth seed Daniela Hantuchová. She was defeated in her third-round match by Lauren Davis. At the Sony Open Tennis, Lepchenko stunned seventh seed Jelena Janković in the second round; Janković led 5–1 in the third set, but Lepchenko made a comeback to win the match. She lost in the fourth round to eleventh seed Caroline Wozniacki.
Lepchenko started her clay-court season at the Family Circle Cup. She was defeated in the first round by Petra Cetkovská. At the Mutua Madrid Open, Lepchenko lost in the second round to fifth seed Petra Kvitová. Playing her final tournament before the French Open at the Italian Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the third round by top seed, defending champion, and eventual champion Serena Williams. Competing at the French Open, Lepchenko lost in the second round to eighth seed Angelique Kerber.
Beginning her grass-court season at the Aegon Classic, Lepchenko was defeated in the second round by sixteenth seed Casey Dellacqua. In Eastbourne at the Aegon International, Lepchenko lost in the second round to second seed Petra Kvitová. At the Wimbledon Championships, Lepchenko beat 2010 Wimbledon semifinalist, Tsvetana Pironkova, in the first round. She was defeated in the second round by Caroline Garcia.
Lepchenko got her US Open series underway at the Bank of the West Classic. She advanced to the semifinals defeating Caroline Garcia, second seed and last year finalist Agnieszka Radwańska, and qualifier and compatriot Sachia Vickery. She lost her semifinal match to third seed Angelique Kerber. Lepchenko was playing really well against Kerber. After winning the first set, she led 5–2 in the second set before Kerber came back to not only win the second set but also to win the match. Coming through qualifying at the Western & Southern Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round by Sam Stosur. In Connecticut at the Connecticut Open, Lepchenko lost in the first round of qualifying to Aleksandra Wozniak. At the US Open, Lepchenko reached the third round where she was defeated by top seed, two-time defending champion, and eventual champion Serena Williams.
Seeded fifth at the Korea Open, Lepchenko reached her first WTA final defeating Olivia Rogowska, Han Na-lae, top seed and defending champion Agnieszka Radwańska, and Christina McHale. In her first WTA Final, Lepchenko lost to second seed Karolína Plíšková. Nevertheless, after the tournament, her ranking improved from 43 to 35. At the China Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the final round of qualifying by Sílvia Soler Espinosa. Seeded fourth at the first edition of the Tianjin Open, Lepchenko made it to the quarterfinal round where she lost to sixth seed and eventual champion Alison Riske. Lepchenko competed in her final tournament of the year at the BGL Luxembourg Open. Seeded fifth, she advanced to the quarterfinals after beating Julia Görges and Jana Čepelová. She was defeated in her quarterfinal match to qualifier Denisa Allertová.
Lepchenko ended the year ranked 36.
2015.
Lepchenko started the 2015 season at the Brisbane International. In the first round, she beat home crowd favorite Samantha Stosur, 4–6, 6–4, 7–5. In the second round, she defeated compatriot Madison Keys, 6–4, 6–4. In the quarterfinals, she beat lucky loser Alla Kudryavtseva, 7–5, 7–5. In the semifinals, Lepchenko lost to second seed Ana Ivanovic, 6–7, 4–6. Lepchenko twice served for the opening set but Ivanovic came back both times to win the first-set tiebreaker and eventually the match. Seeded 30 at the Australian Open, After beating Vitalia Diatchenko and Ajla Tomljanović, Lepchenko was defeated in the third round by sixth seed Agnieszka Radwańska, 6–0, 7–5.
Seeded top for qualifying at the Monterrey Open, Lepchenko lost in the first round of qualifying to Michelle Larcher de Brito 0–6, 1–6. Seeded 26 at the BNP Paribas Open, Lepchenko was given a bye into the second round. She was defeated in the third round by third seed and eventual champion, Simona Halep, 6–1, 3–6, 6–1. Seeded 28 at the Miami Open, Lepchenko received a first round bye. She lost in the second round to Kaia Kanepi, 2–6, 4–6.
Lepchenko began her clay court season at the Family Circle Cup. Seeded 10, she retired down 2–6, 1–2 in her first round match against Andreea Mitu due to a lower back injury. At the Mutua Madrid Open, Lepchenko lost in the second round to Barbora Strýcová 4–6, 2–6. Despite qualifying for the Internationaux de Strasbourg, Lepchenko lost in the first round to Lesia Tsurenko, 4–6, 6–7. Ranked 34 at the French Open, she was defeated in the first round by 16th seed and compatriot Madison Keys, 7–6, 6–3.
Lepchenko started her preparations for Wimbledon at the 1st edition of the Aegon Open Nottingham. As the 3rd seed, she lost in the first round to eventual finalist Monica Niculescu, 6–4, 3–6, 1–6. At the Aegon Classic, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round by 12th seed Victoria Azarenka, 7–6, 6–4. Playing at the Aegon International, she lost in the first round to Heather Watson, 6–7, 2–6. Ranked 40 at the Wimbledon Championships, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round by 20th seed and eventual finalist Garbiñe Muguruza, 6–4, 6–1.
Lepchenko started her US Open Series at the Bank of the West Classic. She started the tournament off by beating Mirjana Lučić-Baroni in the first round, 3–6, 6–2, 7–6. In the second round, she stunned top seed Caroline Wozniacki, 6–4, 6–2. In the quarterfinals, Lepchenko defeated Mona Barthel, 6–7, 6–2, 6–3 to reach the semifinals for the second year in a row. In her semifinal match, she lost to fourth seed Karolína Plíšková, 2–6, 5–7. At the Rogers Cup, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round by Barbora Strýcová, 6–2, 6–4. Lepchenko played one more tournament before the US Open, which was at the Western & Southern Open. She reached the third round where she lost to qualifier Anna Karolína Schmiedlová, 3–6, 6–3, 4–6. Ranked 46 at the US Open, Lepchenko advanced to the fourth round defeating Kirsten Flipkens, Lesia Tsurenko, and Mona Barthel. She was defeated in the fourth round by 20th seed Victoria Azarenka, 6–3, 6–4.
Seeded 4 at the Korea Open, Lepchenko lost in the second round to Elizaveta Kulichkova, 0–6, 2–6. At the Wuhan Open, she was defeated in the second round by 12th seed Elina Svitolina, 6–4, 6–2. Staying in China to play at the China Open, she lost in the first round to Chinese wildcard Wang Qiang, 2–6, 6–3, 2–6. At the Generali Ladies Linz, Lepchenko lost in the first round to Kirsten Flipkens, 3–6, 6–7. Lepchenko competed in her final tournament of the year at the Kremlin Cup. She was defeated in the first round by Margarita Gasparyan, 7–5, 7–6.
Lepchenko ended the year ranked No. 46.
2016.
Lepchenko began her 2016 season at the Brisbane International. She reached the quarterfinal round where she lost to sixth seed Carla Suárez Navarro. At the Australian Open, Lepchenko won her first two matches over thirty-first seed Lesia Tsurenko and Lara Arruabarrena. She was defeated in the third round by qualifier Zhang Shuai.
At the Dubai Tennis Championships, Lepchenko lost in the final round of qualifying to Zheng Saisai. In Qatar at the Qatar Total Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round by Zheng Saisai. Lepchenko then missed the next two months from tour citing a knee injury.
Lepchenko returned to action in May at the Italian Open. She lost in the final round of qualifying to Kiki Bertens. Before the French Open, Lepchenko competed at the Nürnberger Versicherungscup. She advanced to the quarterfinal round by beating German wildcard Katharina Hobgarski and fifth seed Sabine Lisicki. She was defeated in her quarterfinal match by eventual finalist Mariana Duque Mariño. At the French Open, Lepchenko lost in the first round to twenty-seventh seed Ekaterina Makarova.
Seeded second at the Bol Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the second round by eventual champion Mandy Minella.
Lepchenko started her grass-court season at the Ricoh Open. She lost in the second round to top seed Belinda Bencic. At the Aegon Classic Birmingham, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round of qualifying by Laura Robson. Getting past qualifying in Eastbourne at the Aegon Classic Birmingham, Lepchenko lost in the first round to Eugenie Bouchard. At the Wimbledon Championships, Lepchenko was defeated in the second round by fourth seed and eventual finalist Angelique Kerber.
Lepchenko started her preparation for the US Open at the Bank of the West Classic. Seeded eighth, she lost in the first round to Alison Riske. At the Rogers Cup, Lepchenko fell in the final round of qualifying to Alla Kudryavtseva. However, due to Garbiñe Muguruza pulling out of the tournament due to gastrointestinal illness, Lepchenko not only got a lucky loser spot into the main draw, but she also got a bye to the second round. She beat qualifier Naomi Broady in her second-round match; she was defeated in the third round by fifteenth seed Johanna Konta. In Cincinnati at the Western & Southern Open, Lepchenko lost in the first round of qualifying to Donna Vekić. At the Connecticut Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the second round of qualifying by Johanna Larsson. Playing in New York at the last Grand Slam of the year, the US Open, Lepchenko reached the third round after beating Peng Shuai and fifteenth seed Timea Bacsinszky. She lost her third-round match to Ana Konjuh.
Playing in Tokyo at the Japan Women's Open, Lepchenko reached the quarterfinal round where she was defeated by sixth seed Zhang Shuai. Next, she stayed in Tokyo to compete at the Toray Pan Pacific Open. Lepchenko lost in the first round to Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig. At the Wuhan Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round by Lucie Šafářová. In Beijing at the China Open, Lepchenko lost in the final round of qualifying to Kateřina Siniaková. At the Hong Kong Tennis Open, Leochenko was defeated in the first round by Alizé Cornet. Lepchenko played her final tournament of the season at the BGL Luxembourg Open. She lost in the second round to top seed and eventual finalist Petra Kvitová.
Lepchenko ended the year ranked 87.
2017.
Lepchenko commenced her 2017 season at the ASB Classic. She lost in the second round to third seed Caroline Wozniacki. In Sydney at the Apia International Sydney, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round of qualifying by Duan Yingying. At the Australian Open, Lepchenko upset nineteenth seed Kiki Bertens in the first round. In the second round, she lost in a three-set thriller to Duan Yingying.
Seeded second at the Dow Tennis Classic, Lepchenko made it to the quarterfinal round where she was defeated by Canadian qualifier Katherine Sebov. In Mexico at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, Lepchenko lost in the first round to second seed and eventual finalist Kristina Mladenovic. Coming through qualifying at the BNP Paribas Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the second round by twenty-fifth seed Tímea Babos. Getting past qualifying at the Miami Open, Lepchenko lost in the second round to twelfth seed and eventual finalist Caroline Wozniacki.
Beginning her clay-court season at the Volvo Car Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round by fifteenth seed Lucie Šafářová. In Germany at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Lepchenko lost in the first round of qualifying to Evgeniya Rodina. Competing in Morocco at the Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem, Lepchenko advanced to the semifinal round where she was defeated by eventual finalist Francesca Schiavone. At the Italian Open, Lepchenko lost in the final round of qualifying to Mona Barthel. Lepchenko played her final tournament before the French Open at the Nürnberger Versicherungscup. She was defeated in the second round by Sorana Cîrstea. In Paris at the French Open, Lepchenko lost in the second round to fourteenth seed Elena Vesnina.
Lepchenko began her preparation for Wimbledon at the Ricoh Open. She was defeated in the first round by Camila Giorgi. Playing in Spain at the Mallorca Open, Lepchenko lost in the second round to second seed and eventual champion Anastasija Sevastova. Lepchenko played her final tournament before Wimbledon at the Aegon International Eastbourne. Making it past qualifying, she was defeated in the first round by Zhang Shuai. At the Wimbledon Championships, Lepchenko beat twenty-eighth seed Lauren Davis in her first-round match. In the second round, she lost to qualifier Polona Hercog.
Coming through qualifying at the Rogers Cup, Lepchenko stunned twelfth seed and French Open Champion Jeļena Ostapenko in the first round. She was defeated in the second round by Caroline Garcia. Despite qualifying for the Western & Southern Open, Lepchenko lost in the first round to fellow qualifier Ashleigh Barty. In Connecticut at the Connecticut Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the second round of qualifying by Carina Witthöft. At the US Open, Lepchenko lost in the first round to third seed and Wimbledon Champion Garbiñe Muguruza.
Seeded fifth at the Coupe Banque Nationale, Lepchenko was defeated in the second round by Canadian Françoise Abanda. Making it past the qualifying rounds at the Wuhan Open, Lepchenko upset tenth seed and US Open finalist Madison Keys in the first round. She lost in the third round to Alizé Cornet. Sliding past qualifying at the China Open in Beijing, Lepchenko was defeated in the second round by twelfth seed Petra Kvitová. At the Upper Austria Ladies Linz, Lepchenko lost in the second round to Johanna Larsson. Lepchenko's final tournament of the season was the BGL Luxembourg Open. Seeded eighth, she was defeated in the first round by eventual champion Carina Witthöft.
Lepchenko ended the year ranked 62.
2019.
Lepchenko began her 2019 season at the Brisbane International. She lost in the first round of qualifying to Dayana Yastremska. Coming through qualifying at the Australian Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round by fellow qualifier Natalia Vikhlyantseva.
Seeded fifteenth at the Oracle Challenger Series – Newport Beach, Lepchenko lost in the second round to Lauren Davis. At the Qatar Total Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the first round of qualifying by Tereza Mrdeža.
2020.
Lepchenko kicked off her 2020 season at the ASB Classic. Coming through qualifying, she lost in the first round to 2017 champion Lauren Davis. At the Australian Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the second round of qualifying by Barbora Krejčíková.
Seeded sixteenth at the Oracle Challenger Series – Newport Beach, Lepchenko lost in the second round to Dalma Gálfi. In Mexico at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, Lepchenko was defeated in the final round of qualifying by Canadian wildcard Leylah Annie Fernandez. Playing in Indian Wells at the Oracle Challenger Series – Indian Wells, Lepchenko lost in the first round to qualifier Asia Muhammad.
Personal life.
In September 2007, it was revealed that Lepchenko had become a U.S. citizen and that she would represent the United States in WTA and ITF tournaments. Lepchenko and her family, whose Russian–Ukrainian heritage allegedly made them a target of persecution in their homeland, were granted political asylum by the United States. They had lived in the U.S. for more than five years when Lepchenko began representing the United States. Lepchenko represented the U.S. at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
She currently resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania and trains with the USTA in New York.