Mandlik Breaks Through in Edmond: A Global Cast, a Home-Country Triumph
In a week that brought players from all corners of the globe to Edmond Center Court, Elizabeth “Elli” Mandlik emerged as champion at the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation Pro Series 2025 Edmond Open W100, capturing her first W100 title and doing so in clinical fashion. Her 6–3, 7–5 defeat of Canada’s Marina Stakusic in Sunday’s final punctuated a tournament that underscored both the international depth of the International Tennis Federation / World Tennis Tour circuit and the local aspirations of American players.
A Truly International Field, on American Soil
Although hosted in the U.S., the Edmond Open served as a crossroads of nationalities. Seeds and contenders came from Canada, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Australia, and beyond. According to the draw, players such as Canadian Katherine Sebov competed alongside American direct acceptances and wildcards.
Even the latter rounds echoed that cosmopolitan feel:
- Marina Stakusic (Canada), the No. 3 seed, pushed all the way to the final. W
- Iryna Shymanovich (Belarus / Ukraine) and Cadence Brace (Canada) both made semifinal appearances.
- Earlier rounds saw cross-continental clashes: Mandlik defeated Olivia Gadecki (Australia) enroute to the Finals.
- The doubles final itself featured cross-national partnerships: Valeriya Strakhova (Ukraine) and Anastasia Tikhonova (Russia) overcame Olivia Gadecki (Australia) and Olivia Lincer (Poland).
The draw’s international flavor illustrated how a W100 event in Edmond, OK can attract upwardly mobile players worldwide, each chasing ranking points, momentum, and the prestige of a high-level ITF title.
Mandlik’s Rise: First W100 Final, First Title
For the unseeded Mandlik, this week marks a significant milestone in her career. Not only did she reach her first W100 final, but she also came out victorious when it mattered most.
Road to the Final
- In the semifinal, she faced Cadence Brace and prevailed.
- Along the way she took down notable names, including Olivia Gadecki, Wimbledon Doubles Semi-Finalist
- In the final, her opponent Marina Stakusic had earlier ousted the 2024 defending champion Mary Stoiana in the second round.
The championship match was played in just 1 hour and 25 minutes. Mandlik took the first set 6–3, setting the tone, and then navigated a tighter second set 7–5 to seal the title in front of a crowd numbering over 260 local tennis fans.
In that moment, Mandlik not only collected the $100,000-level title but also likely vaulted her ranking upward to #211 in the WTA live rankings as she continues to chase higher-level events.
Why It Matters
A W100 event ranks among the higher-tier tournaments on the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour, offering more ranking points and greater exposure than lower-tier events. Winning at this level signals readiness to challenge in even more competitive draws (WTA 125s, WTA Tour level). Mandlik’s performance here may mark a turning point in her ascent.
Local Fans & Broader Impact
The Edmond Open’s location provided a compelling stage: central U.S. access, comfortable conditions, and a home-court feel for American players like Mandlik. Yet the presence of so many international entrants delivered the competitive variety one wants in a top ITF event. For American tennis fans, it was a chance to see rising talents from abroad and at home clashing in meaningful matches.
Mandlik’s triumph provides a local storyline, a U.S. player lifting a high-tier trophy in Oklahoma, while simultaneously reminding the tennis world of the global tapestry underlying every ITF event.
Looking Ahead
With this W100 title now on her résumé, Mandlik’s next steps will be watched closely. Will this victory translate into success at WTA 125 or Tour-level events? Can she capitalize on the momentum and climb deeper into WTA rankings? For now, she leaves Edmond with a trophy and a statement: she belongs among the rising contenders in women’s pro tennis.
For the international contingent too, the Edmond Open proved itself a worthy battleground, a place where players from across the globe can test themselves, earn vital points, and build toward higher ambitions. And for Mandlik, this week at Edmond may well prove the launching pad.









