World Number 6, Myriam Enmer has won the 2025 World Championships, defeating Anna-Klara Ahlmer by 5 points. The Frenchwoman is the 7th woman to win the title for a second time.
As Day 3 commenced in Rotterdam, there were four women who were still in with a shot. Here’s how it happened.
Semi Final: Myriam Enmer vs. Pauline Cavé
The usually lively French crowd weren’t sure who to cheer for as two French players fought against each other for a place in the World Championships final.
It was an entertaining table tennis set, with both players generally serving with backspin, but looking for opportunities to open up and attack with topspins. Pauline had the edge in the first half and led 11-8 at the change of ends. In the second half, Cavé experimented with using heavier backspin, which paid dividends.
“Allez!” exclaimed the World Number 3 when she won the final point. 21-11 to Pauline.
The badminton set was evenly contested. Both players hit some winners, but also made some mistakes. The French national champion had her nose in front for most of the set and finished with a controlled net shot winner. 21-17 to Myriam.
Squash was a topsy-turvy encounter. Firstly, Myriam took a 6-2 lead, then Pauline took control and led 11-9 at the break. Enmer started experimenting with body serves from the right box after the change, but generally Cavé was able to punish the former World Champion for her loose shots. At 18-13, it appeared that Pauline was going to have a big lead heading into tennis. But Myriam was not done yet!
The World Number 6 found another gear, picked up the intensity and played some lovely counter-drops. Myriam won the set with a drop shot into the nick and pumped her fist! 21-19. Pauline still led by 4 points, so needed 18 in tennis to win.
The tennis was tight early, both players being patient. Myriam appeared to be relaxing into the match and moving her feet better and brought up a lead of 11-5. Pauline suffered from leg cramps and although she kept fighting, she was unable to run from then on. 21-8 meant a 9 point win to Myriam, but it was a shame for that match to send with such an anti-climax.
Semi Final: Mollie Patterson vs. Anna-Klara Ahlmer
If the table tennis was entertaining in the first semi final, this one was next level! It was fast, attacking and very skilful. Anna-Klara went toe-to-toe with the table tennis specialist until 5-5, before Mollie started landing some vicious topspins and won the set 21-9.
The World Number 1 showed some true racketlon experience, playing with control and confidence to lead 11-0 at the change of ends. The Brit lifted the intensity and had more purpose in her shots in the second half to make the scoreline more respectable. 21-5 to Anna-Klara.
The World Number 1 was able to play the squash on her terms, hitting the ball hard to the back of the court. “Yes!” she said, with a fist pump, clearly happy with a 21-6 win.
Needing just 3 points in tennis to win the match, Ahlmer did not mess around, completing the victory with a deft backhand slice winner.
Final: Myriam Enmer vs. Anna-Klara Ahlmer
An intriguing head to head record exists for the two finalists. The first 7 times they played, Anna-Klara won. Since then, Myriam has won 4 times in a row. Would this trend continue on the biggest stage of all: the World Championships final?
Before the match, Anna-Klara said that she was “happy to play Myriam, as she is a good friend. Hope for a really good match.”
The Swede’s gameplan seemed to work well in the table tennis. She predominantly used pushes, especially to Myriam’s forehand, but also mixed in a couple of delightful straight backhands. From 13-4 up, the Frenchwoman fought back and won 5 points in a row, before Ahlmer resettled and won 21-9.
The badminton set was closer, but the World Number 1 was more effective at moving her opponent around the court. She hit a crosscourt backhand drop to bring up a lead of 14-9 and appeared to be in control of the match.
The very next point, Myriam returned the favour with a crosscourt forehand, which seemed to bring her to life. All of a sudden, it was the World Number 6 who looked more confident and she won 12 out of the last 14 points to win the set, 21-16.
But she still trailed by 7 points before the squash set.
Both players used crosscourt drives to good effect, with Enmer taking a small 11-9 lead into the break. Ahlmer regained momentum in the second half, hitting the ball harder and straighter, winning 5 points in a row.
The French crowd urged their national champion on, becoming even louder as she brought the match into a tie break. However, it was the Swede ultimately triumphed 22-20.
This gave Anna-Klara a lead of 9 points, meaning she needed 13 points in tennis to become a singles World Champion for the first time.
It was the 2022 World Champion who started more composed, with Anna-Klara Ahlmer unable to land her forehand groundstrokes. Enmer made the most of this to take an 11-1 lead at the change of ends.
Two unreturned serves from the World Number 1 brought life back into the contest, but Myriam’s dependable groundstrokes kept her opponent at bay.
Championship Point was converted when Anna-Klara pushed her forehand long. The French supporters screamed with joy, as Myriam walked to the net smiling.
“It was so stressful, I was so nervous,” Myriam explained in her post-match interview. “It was so close… I had to fight a lot. Each point, every point, all the sports. So yes, I’m relieved, and of course, really happy!”
The newly crowned World Champion qualifies directly for the World Tour Finals in Mumbai this November. “Yes, I really want to go to India. I’ve never been there before. Apparently people are really friendly there, the organisation is really nice, so yeah I can’t wait to go there.”
View the Women’s Singles results
Coming soon: Men’s Singles final review – Luke Griffiths vs. Leon Griffiths
The World Champs continue on Saturday and Sunday with the Teams Championships. There are 11 categories to be won, from Under 12s to Over 65s.
View the elite draw: World Cup
