Ann Li rallied from a set down to defeat Kamilla Rakhimova 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the Round of 16 at Rouen on April 15, 2026. Li’s serving power—6 aces to Rakhimova’s 0—proved the difference as she dominated the final two sets to reach the quarterfinals.
After dropping the opening set, Li seized control with superior first-serve effectiveness (61% of points won versus Rakhimova’s 53%) and cleaner execution. Rakhimova’s nine double faults, more than double Li’s four, compounded the Russian’s struggles. Li won 91 total points to Rakhimova’s 80, a margin built almost entirely after the first set.
The American closed out the deciding set 6-3, converting her improved serve percentage (61% compared to Rakhimova’s 57%) into consistent pressure. Li advances to the quarterfinals, claiming her third career title pursuit with renewed momentum after a difficult stretch that included losses to Aryna Sabalenka and Liudmila Samsonova.
Key Takeaways
- Li’s serve dominated: 6 aces to Rakhimova’s 0, hitting above her hard court average of 5.7 aces per match and establishing a weapon Rakhimova (1.9 average) couldn’t match.
- Rakhimova’s 9 double faults—well above her already-high 5.5 per match average on hard courts—undermined any chance of sustaining pressure across three sets.
- Li won 61% of first-serve points compared to Rakhimova’s 53%, an 8-percentage-point edge that translated into 11 more total points won (91-80) and control of the final two sets.
- Both players arrived in poor form (Li 3-7, Rakhimova 2-8 in last 10), but Li’s losses came against elite competition while Rakhimova was mired in a six-match losing streak, a psychological divide that became physical after the first set.
Player Analysis
Ann Li
Li’s performance was a testament to adjusting mid-match and leveraging her primary weapon. After dropping the first set, she dialed in her first serve—landing 61% and winning 61% of those points—and unleashed six aces, triple her opponent’s total and aligned with her 5.7 per-match hard court average. The American’s four double faults were manageable, especially compared to Rakhimova’s self-inflicted damage.
Her 43% second-serve points won wasn’t stellar, but it didn’t need to be; Li’s first-serve dominance kept her ahead of the chains. With this victory, she snaps a rough 1-3 stretch and positions herself for a deeper run at Rouen, hunting her third career title.
Kamilla Rakhimova
Rakhimova’s serve betrayed her. Zero aces—well below her 1.9 hard court average—meant no free points, while nine double faults (versus her 5.5 average) gifted Li easy opportunities. Her 57% first-serve percentage was respectable, but winning only 53% of those points revealed a lack of penetration. The Russian couldn’t capitalize on second serves either, winning just 40% of those points.
After taking the first set, Rakhimova managed just five games across the final two sets, a collapse reflective of her recent six-match losing streak. Without a reliable serve or the firepower to match Li’s aggression, she exits Rouen still searching for her first career title.
Match Statistics
| Ann Li | Stat | Kamilla Rakhimova |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Aces | 0 |
| 4 | Double Faults | 9 |
| 61% | 1st Serve % | 57% |
| 61% | 1st Serve Points Won | 53% |
| 43% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 40% |
| 91 | Total Points Won | 80 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Ann Li vs Kamilla Rakhimova at Rouen 2026?
Ann Li defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the Round of 16 at Rouen on April 15, 2026.
How many aces did Ann Li hit against Kamilla Rakhimova?
Ann Li hit 6 aces compared to Kamilla Rakhimova’s 0 aces in their Rouen Round of 16 match.
How many double faults did Kamilla Rakhimova have at Rouen?
Kamilla Rakhimova committed 9 double faults against Ann Li, more than double Li’s 4 double faults.
Who won the Rouen 2026 Round of 16 match between Li and Rakhimova?
Ann Li won the match, rallying from a set down to defeat Kamilla Rakhimova and advance to the quarterfinals.
What’s Next
Li advances to the Rouen quarterfinals, where she’ll look to build on this comeback performance and continue her pursuit of a third career title.
Head-to-head history: Ann Li vs Kamilla Rakhimova.
