Claire Liu (born May 25, 2000) is an American professional tennis player. On 30 January 2023, she reached her career-high singles ranking of world No. 52.

Claire Liu
Liu at the 2023 US Open
Country (sports) United States
ResidenceThousand Oaks, California
Born (2000-05-25) May 25, 2000 (age 24)
Thousand Oaks, CA
Height1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money$2,128,525
Singles
Career record229–166
Career titles1 WTA Challenger
Highest rankingNo. 52 (January 30, 2023)
Current rankingNo. 267 (November 4, 2024)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open2R (2023)
French Open2R (2023)
Wimbledon2R (2018, 2021, 2022)
US Open2R (2018)
Doubles
Career record28–28
Career titles1 WTA Challenger
Highest rankingNo. 257 (January 30, 2023)
Current rankingNo. 559 (November 4, 2024)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open2R (2023)
US Open1R (2017, 2021, 2022)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
US Open1R (2015)
Last updated on: November 4, 2024.
Claire Liu
Simplified Chinese刘婧文
Traditional Chinese劉婧文
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinLiú Jìngwén
Bopomofoㄌㄧㄡˊㄐㄧㄥˋ ㄨㄣˊ
Gwoyeu RomatzyhLiou Jinqwen
Wade–GilesLiu2 Ching4wen2
Tongyong PinyinLióu Jìngwún
Yale RomanizationLyóu Jìngwén
MPS2Lióu Jìng-wén
IPA[ljǒʊ tɕîŋ wə̌n]

Liu has won one singles title and one doubles title on the WTA Challenger Tour as well as six titles in singles and one doubles title on the ITF Women's Circuit.

In 2017, she was the world No. 1 in the junior rankings, after winning the Wimbledon girls' singles title, and finishing runner-up at the French Open. Liu also won a junior Grand Slam doubles title at Wimbledon with Usue Arconada in 2016.

Personal life

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Liu grew up in Thousand Oaks, California. Both her parents are Chinese immigrants.[1] In 2023, she began maintaining a blog that recounts her experiences on the professional tennis tour and personal life.[2]

Career

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Juniors

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Grand Slam results - Singles:

  • Australian Open: –
  • French Open: F (2017)
  • Wimbledon: W (2017)
  • US Open: 2R (2013, 2016)

Grand Slam results - Doubles:

  • Australian Open: –
  • French Open: QF (2017)
  • Wimbledon: W (2016)
  • US Open: QF (2016)

Liu won the Wimbledon junior doubles tournament in 2016 with fellow American Usue Maitane Arconada, defeating Mariam Bolkvadze and Caty McNally in the final, in straight sets. The following year, after losing the French Open junior final to Whitney Osuigwe, she came back to win the Wimbledon singles title against Ann Li, making her the first American girl to win the event since Chanda Rubin in 1992.[3] With this Grand Slam success, Liu rose to world No. 1 in the girls' junior rankings.

2015: First professional title, mixed doubles major debut

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She won her first professional title in March 2015, at an Orlando clay-court tournament on the ITF Women's Circuit.[4] At age 14, Liu was the youngest tennis player to win a professional tournament since Anna Kournikova in 1996.[5]

On her debut at the US Open, Liu was granted a wildcard into the qualifying tournament. She beat Verónica Cepede Royg and ninth seed Jana Čepelová in her first two matches, before losing to the 26th seed, Alexandra Panova, in the final round. Liu, alongside Taylor Fritz, was also given a wildcard for the mixed-doubles draw; they were defeated in the first round by the fourth seeds and eventual champions, Martina Hingis and Leander Paes.[citation needed]

2017: Grand Slam debut in singles and doubles

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After securing two ITF tournament wins in 2017, Liu was granted again a wildcard into the qualifying for the US Open. She defeated all three of her opponents in the qualifying tournament, earning her a spot in the singles main draw of a Grand Slam championship for the first time.[6] There, she was defeated in the first round, in straight sets by Duan Yingying.[citation needed]

In their doubles main-draw debut at a major, Liu and Taylor Johnson lost in the first round of the US Open.[7]

2018: First Grand Slam match win

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At the 2018 Wimbledon Championships, Liu advanced to the main draw by winning all of her qualifying matches. She lost in the second round to the eventual champion Angelique Kerber.[8] Liu was the only player in the tournament to win a set against Kerber.[9]

2019–2021: Top 100 debut

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In October 2019, Liu won her fourth title on the ITF Circuit at a $25k tournament in Florence, South Carolina.[10] After finishing as a runner-up in two tournaments in 2020 and another two in 2021, Liu won consecutive tournaments in May 2021 at the $60k event in Charlottesville, Virginia[11] and the $100k Charleston Pro Tennis.[12] As a result, she entered the top 100 on 23 August 2021.[citation needed]

2022: Maiden Tour final, first top-10 win

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In May, Liu reached her maiden WTA Tour final in Rabat, losing to Martina Trevisan who was also a first-time tour finalist.[13] As a result, she reached the top 75 on 23 May 2022.[citation needed]

She made it through to the semifinals at the Jasmin Open in Monastir, Tunisia, defeating seventh seed Kateřina Siniaková in the second round[14] and top seed Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinals for her first win over a top-10 ranked player.[15][16] Her run was ended in the last four by fifth seed and eventual champion Elise Mertens.[17]

2023: WTA 1000 third round, Chicago Challenger final

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At the Australian Open, Liu overcame Madison Brengle[18] to reach the second round where she lost to 12th seed Belinda Bencic.[19]

She reached the third round of a WTA 1000 for the first time at the 2 Miami Open defeating Kateřina Siniaková by retirement[20] and lucky loser Julia Grabher[21] before she lost to 25th seed Martina Trevisan.[22]

At the Italian Open, Liu got the better of wildcard Camilla Rosatello in a first round match that went to three sets,[23] before losing to 32nd seed Marta Kostyuk.[24] She reached the second round at the French Open thanks to a win over qualifier Ylena In-Albon,[25] but lost to top seed and eventual champion Iga Świątek.[26]

Liu defeated alternate Oana Gavrilă[27] and Irina Khromacheva[28] at the Swedish Open to set up a quarterfinal meeting with Louisa Chirico which she lost in three sets.[29] The following week at the Hungarian Open, gained revenge by defeating Louisa Chirico in the first round,[30] before recording wims over fourth seed Yulia Putintseva[31] and eighth seed Anna Karolína Schmiedlová[32] to reach the semifinals where she lost to Kateryna Baindl.[33]

Wins over Irina Fetecău,[34] Storm Hunter,[35] sixth seed Rebeka Masarova[36] and Cristina Bucșa,[37] saw Liu make it through to the final at the Chicago Challenger where she lost to Viktoriya Tomova.[38]

She reached the quarterfinals at the Korea Open, defeating qualifier Ku Yeon-woo[39] and seventh seed Arantxa Rus.[40] She lost in the last eight to top seed and eventual champion Jessica Pegula.[41]

2024: Miami Open second round

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Liu qualified for the Miami Open and defeated Petra Martić,[42] before losing to 10th seed Daria Kasatkina by retiring.[43]

She also qualified for the Charleston Open but lost her main-draw match to wildcard Shelby Rogers.[44]

In May 2024, Liu won the ITF tournament in Saint-Gaudens, France, defeating Séléna Janicijevic in the final.[45] Later that month she lost in the first round of qualifying for the French Open to Veronika Erjavec in three sets.[46]

Performance timelines

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Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# P# DNQ A Z# PO G S B NMS NTI P NH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (P#) preliminary round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (Z#) Davis/Fed Cup Zonal Group (with number indication) or (PO) play-off; (G) gold, (S) silver or (B) bronze Olympic/Paralympic medal; (NMS) not a Masters tournament; (NTI) not a Tier I tournament; (P) postponed; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated at the conclusion of a tournament or when the player's participation has ended.

Only main-draw results in WTA Tour, Grand Slam tournaments, Billie Jean King Cup, United Cup, Hopman Cup and Olympic Games are included in win–loss records.[47]

Singles

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Current through the 2023 Tunis Open.

Tournament 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 SR W–L Win%
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open A A A A Q1 A Q2 1R 2R 0 / 2 1–2 33%
French Open A A A Q2 Q1 A Q2 1R 2R 0 / 2 1–2 33%
Wimbledon A A A 2R Q1 NH 2R 2R 1R 0 / 4 3–4 43%
US Open Q3 A 1R 2R A 1R 1R 1R 1R 0 / 6 1–6 14%
Win–loss 0–0 0–0 0–1 2–2 0–0 0–1 1–2 1–4 2–4 0 / 14 6–14 30%
WTA 1000
Qatar Open[a] A A A A A A A Q2 A 0 / 0 0–0  – 
Dubai[a] A A A A A A A A 1R 0 / 1 0–1 0%
Indian Wells Open A A Q1 1R Q1 NH 1R 2R 2R 0 / 4 2–4 33%
Miami Open A Q1 A 2R A NH Q1 Q1 3R 0 / 2 3–2 60%
Madrid Open A A A A A NH A A 1R 0 / 1 0–1 0%
Italian Open A A A A A A A A 2R 0 / 1 1–1 50%
Canadian Open A A A A A NH A 1R A 0 / 1 0–1 0%
Cincinnati Open A A A A A A A A A 0 / 0 0–0  – 
Guadalajara Open NH A A 0 / 0 0–0  – 
Wuhan Open A A A Q1 A NH 0 / 0 0–0  – 
China Open A A A A A NH Q2 0 / 0 0–0  – 
Win–loss 0–0 0–0 0–0 1–2 0–0 0–0 0–1 1–2 4–5 0 / 10 6–10 38%
Career statistics
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 SR W–L Win%
Tournaments 0 0 2 7 0 1 5 15 20 Career total: 50
Titles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Career total: 0
Finals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Career total: 1
Hard win–loss 0–0 0–0 0–2 2–4 0–0 0–1 1–3 8–10 9–13 0 / 33 20–33 38%
Clay win–loss 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–2 0–0 0–0 1–1 5–3 5–5 0 / 11 13–11 54%
Grass win–loss 0–0 0–0 0–0 1–1 0–0 0–0 1–1 1–2 0–2 0 / 6 3–6 33%
Overall win–loss 0–0 0–0 0–2 5–7 0–0 0–1 3–5 14–15 14–20 0 / 50 36–50 42%
Year-end ranking 566 670 263 138 333 222 94 60 94 $1,916,181

Doubles

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Current through the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.

Tournament 2017 2018 ... 2021 2022 2023 SR W–L
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open A A A A 2R 0 / 1 1–1
French Open A A A A A 0 / 0 0–0
Wimbledon A A A A A 0 / 0 0–0
US Open 1R A 1R 1R A 0 / 3 0–3
Win–loss 0–1 0–0 0–1 0–1 1–1 0 / 4 1–4
Career statistics
Tournaments 1 1 2 1 1 Career total: 6
Overall win-loss 0–1 0–1 1–1 0–1 1–1 0 / 6 2–5
Year-end ranking[b] 933 629 467 403

WTA Tour finals

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Singles: 1 (runner-up)

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Legend
Grand Slam (0–0)
WTA 1000 (0–0)
WTA 500 (0–0)
WTA 250 (0–1)
Finals by surface
Hard (0–0)
Grass (0–0)
Clay (0–1)
Carpet (0–0)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Tier Surface Opponent Score
Loss 0–1 May 2022 Rabat Grand Prix, Morocco WTA 250 Clay   Martina Trevisan 2–6, 1–6

WTA Challenger finals

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Singles: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)

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Result W–L Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Win 1–0 May 2022 Clarins Open Paris, France Clay   Beatriz Haddad Maia 6–3, 6–4
Loss 1–1 Aug 2023 Chicago Challenger, United States Hard   Viktoriya Tomova 1–6, 4–6

Doubles: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)

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Result W–L    Date    Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1–0 Jun 2022 Veneto Open, Italy Grass   Madison Brengle   Vitalia Diatchenko
  Oksana Kalashnikova
6–4, 6–3
Loss 1–1 Aug 2023 Golden Gate Open,
United States
Hard   Hailey Baptiste   Jodie Burrage
  Olivia Gadecki
6–7(4), 7–6(6), [8–10]

ITF Circuit finals

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Singles: 11 (7 titles, 4 runner–ups)

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Legend
$100,000 tournaments (1–1)
$60,000 tournaments (2–0)
$25,000 tournaments (3–3)
$10,000 tournaments (1–0)
Finals by surface
Hard (0–4)
Clay (7–0)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Tier Surface Opponent Score
Win 1–0 Mar 2015 ITF Orlando, United States 10,000 Clay   Fanny Stollár 6–1, 6–3
Win 2–0 May 2017 ITF Naples, United States 25,000 Clay   Danielle Collins 6–3, 6–1
Win 3–0 May 2017 ITF Caserta, Italy 25,000 Clay   Paula Badosa 6–3, 6–3
Win 4–0 Oct 2019 ITF Florence, US 25,000 Clay   Peyton Stearns 6–1, 6–2
Loss 4–1 Jan 2020 ITF Malibu, US 25,000 Hard   Nadia Podoroska 6–3, 3–6, 3–6
Loss 4–2 Feb 2020 Kentucky Open, US 100,000 Hard (i)   Olga Govortsova 4–6, 4–6
Loss 4–3 Feb 2021 ITF Boca Raton, US 25,000 Hard   Varvara Lepchenko 6–3, 4–6, 0–6
Loss 4–4 Mar 2021 ITF Newport Beach, US 25,000 Hard   Danielle Lao 2–6, 6–4, 2–6
Win 5–4 Apr 2021 Charlottesville Open, US 60,000 Clay   Wang Xinyu 3–6, 6–4, 4–1 ret.
Win 6–4 May 2021 ITF Charleston Pro, US 100,000 Clay   Madison Brengle 6–2, 7–6(6)
Win 7–4 May 2024 Open Saint-Gaudens, France 75,000 Clay   Séléna Janicijevic 6–1, 6–7(3), 6–0

Doubles: 1 (title)

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Legend
$60,000 tournaments (1–0)
Finals by surface
Hard (1–0)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Tier Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1–0 Aug 2019 Landisville Tennis Challenge,
United States
60,000 Hard   Vania King   Hayley Carter
  Jamie Loeb
4–6, 6–2, [10–5]

Junior Grand Slam tournament finals

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Girls' singles: 2 (1 title, 1 runner–up)

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Result Year Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Loss 2017 French Open Clay   Whitney Osuigwe 4–6, 7–6(5), 3–6
Win 2017 Wimbledon Grass   Ann Li 6–2, 5–7, 6–2

Girls' doubles: 1 (title)

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Result Year Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 2016 Wimbledon Grass   Usue Maitane Arconada   Mariam Bolkvadze
  Caty McNally
6–2, 6–3

Head-to-head records

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Record against top 10 players

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  • She has a 1–8 (11%) record against players who were, at the time the match was played, ranked in the top 10.
Result W–L Opponent Rank Event Surface Rd Score Rank H2H
2018
Loss 0–1   Angelique Kerber No. 10 Wimbledon Championships, UK Grass 2R 6–3, 2–6, 4–6 No. 237
2022
Loss 0–2   Paula Badosa No. 3 Charleston Open, United States Clay (g) 3R 6–3, 6–7(8–10), 1–6 No. 89
Win 1–2   Ons Jabeur No. 2 Jasmin Open, Tunisia Hard QF 6–3, 4–6, 6–4 No. 73
2023
Loss 1–3   Belinda Bencic No. 10 Australian Open, Australia Hard 2R 6–7(3–7), 3–6 No. 62
Loss 1–4   Iga Świątek No. 1 Indian Wells Open, United States Hard 2R 0–6, 1–6 No. 56
Loss 1–5   Iga Świątek No. 1 French Open, France Clay 2R 4–6, 0–6 No. 102
Loss 1–6   Iga Świątek No. 1 Poland Open, Poland Hard 2R 2–6, 2–6 No. 78
Loss 1–7   Jessica Pegula No. 4 Korea Open, South Korea Hard QF 6–4, 3–6, 0–6 No. 98
2024
Loss 1–8   Coco Gauff No. 3 ASB Classic, New Zealand Hard 1R 4–6, 2–6 No. 95

Notes

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  1. ^ a b The first Premier 5 event of the year has switched back and forth between the Dubai Tennis Championships and the Qatar Ladies Open since 2009 until 2024. Dubai was classified as a Premier 5 event from 2009 to 2011 before being succeeded by Doha for the 2012–2014 period. In 2015, Dubai regained its Premier 5 status while Doha was demoted to Premier status. The Premier 5 tournaments were reclassified as WTA 1000 tournaments in 2021.
  2. ^ 2016: WTA ranking-838, ... 2019: WTA ranking-472, 2020: WTA ranking-462.

References

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  1. ^ Pachelli, Nick (August 15, 2017). "Claire Liu, a Rising Teenage Tennis Player, Reaches a Crossroad". The New York Times.
  2. ^ Claire's Journal, https://claireliu.substack.com/
  3. ^ Waldstein, David (July 15, 2017). "Claire Liu Ends Drought for American Women in Wimbledon Junior Singles". New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  4. ^ 2015 ITF Pro Circuit Tournament in Orlando, Florida. International Tennis Federation. Accessed on 27 August 2017.
  5. ^ Kumar, Aishwarya. Wimbledon junior champ Claire Liu is having a ball after shaking slump. ESPN: August 2, 2017. Accessed on August 27, 2017.
  6. ^ US Open 2017: Women's Qualifying Singles Draw. Archived 2017-08-30 at the Wayback Machine US Open. Accessed on August 27, 2017.
  7. ^ US Open 2017: Women's Doubles Draw. Archived 2017-09-10 at the Wayback Machine US Open. Accessed on August 27, 2017.
  8. ^ "Kerber weathers Liu scare to move on at Wimbledon". July 5, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  9. ^ Roenigk, Alyssa (July 15, 2018). "Lost amid the Serena Williams fairy-tale story ... the Angelique Kerber fairy-tale story". ESPN. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  10. ^ "W25 Florence, SC 2019". International Tennis Federation. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  11. ^ Ciesa, Victoria (May 5, 2021). "Claire Liu back in the winner's circle". USTA. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  12. ^ "W100 Charleston, SC 2021". International Tennis Federation. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  13. ^ "Trevisan races past Liu in Rabat to capture first WTA title".
  14. ^ "Monastir Open: Liu upsets Siniakova to reach quarter-finals". Tennis Majors. October 5, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  15. ^ "Monastir: Liu upsets Jabeur for first Top 10 win of career". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  16. ^ "Monastir - Liu ousts Jabeur in her homeland". Tennis Threads. October 8, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  17. ^ "Belgian Mertens to meet Cornet in Monastir Open final". Tennis Majors. October 8, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  18. ^ "Australian Open: Liu moves into second round against Bencic". Tennis Majors. January 18, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  19. ^ "Australian Open: Liu knocked out". Tennis Majors. January 19, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  20. ^ "Miami Open: Liu advances to second round as Siniakova quits with wrist injury; Swiatek next". Tennis Majors. March 21, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  21. ^ "Miami Open: Liu books spot in third round". Tennis Majors. March 23, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  22. ^ "Miami Open: Trevisan battles past Liu and into round of 16". Tennis Majors. March 26, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  23. ^ "Rome: Liu recovers to defeat wild card Rosatello in three sets". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  24. ^ "Italian Open: Ukraine's Kostyuk storms into third round, plays Badosa next". Tennis Majors. May 12, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  25. ^ "Roland-Garros: Liu beats qualifier in straight sets for spot in second round". Tennis Majors. May 30, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  26. ^ "Swiatek briefly loses focus on way to French Open third round". Reuters. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  27. ^ "Monday Wrap Up". Nordea Open. July 10, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  28. ^ "Irina Khromacheva vs Claire Liu". Tennis Majors. July 12, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  29. ^ "Nordea Open: Chirico sets up all-American clash against Navarro in semis". Tennis Majors. July 13, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  30. ^ "Hungarian Open: Liu makes last 16". Tennis Majors. July 17, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  31. ^ "Budapest - Controversy strikes in Hungary". Tennis Threads. July 20, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  32. ^ "Hungarian Open: Liu makes last four, beats eighth seed Schmiedlova". Tennis Majors. July 21, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  33. ^ "Hungarian Open: Baindl through to final, faces lucky loser Timofeeva for title". Tennis Majors. July 22, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  34. ^ "Chicago Women's Open: Liu through to last 16". Tennis Majors. August 22, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  35. ^ "Chicago Women's Open: Liu moves into quarter-finals". Tennis Majors. August 23, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  36. ^ "Chicago Women's Open: Liu makes last 4". Tennis Majors. August 24, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  37. ^ "Chicago Women's Open: Liu into final after Bucsa retires early in first set". Tennis Majors. August 25, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  38. ^ "Tomova defeats Liu to capture first WTA 125 title in Chicago". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  39. ^ "Korea Open: Liu advances to second round". Tennis Majors. October 9, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  40. ^ "Korea Open: Liu upsets seventh seed Rus to move into last eight". Tennis Majors. October 11, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  41. ^ "Jessica Pegula reaches Korea Open semifinals after rallying to beat Claire Liu in three sets". APNews. October 13, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  42. ^ "American qualifier Liu beats Martic in straight sets in Miami". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  43. ^ "Miami Open: Kasatkina through after Liu retires with injury". Tennis Majors. March 23, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  44. ^ "Hometown hope Rogers breezes past Liu in Charleston first round". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  45. ^ "Balle de match pour l'Edge Open de Saint-Gaudens". La Depeche (in French). Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  46. ^ "Claire Liu vs Veronika Erjavec". Tennis Majors. May 19, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  47. ^ "Claire Liu [USA] | Australian Open". ausopen.com.
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