Varvara Lepchenko

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.

2006–2011

In 2006, she reached the second round of the US Open, and later that year she reached her career high of no. 84 on October 2, 2006. 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

Varvara started the year at the 2012 ASB Classic. She lost in the 2nd round of qualifying to top seed Anne Keothavong 6-3, 6-3. In Sydney at the 2012 Apia International Sydney, Lepchenko was defeated in the 1st round of qualifying by top seed Maria Kirilenko 1-6, 6-2, 7-6(5). Seeded 11 for qualifying at the 2012 Australian Open, Lepchenko advanced to the main draw beating Mariana Duque Mariño, Elitsa Kostova, and Aleksandra Krunić. In the 1st round, she lost to 20th seed Daniela Hantuchová 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Seeded 7 for qualifying at the 2012 Open GDF Suez, Lepchenko lost in the final round of qualifying to top seed Mona Barthel 6-3, 6-4. However, Lepchenko received entry as a Lucky Loser into the main draw. She was defeated in the 1st round by compatriot Christina McHale 6-4, 7-5. At the Qatar Total Open, Lepchenko advanced to the 3rd round where she lost to World Number 6 Agnieszka Radwańska 7–5, 6–1, 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 7–5, 6–3.

After qualifying for the main draw at the Mutua Madrid Open she beat 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone in three sets 6–4, 6–7, 6–3 in the first round. She then defeated Shahar Pe'er 7–6, 6–4 and Anabel Medina 6–1, 6–7, 6–3. Lepchenko's run was ended by Agnieszka Radwańska 6–4, 6–4. After the tournament she rose to a career high number 59.

French Open breakthrough: Varvara started her 2012 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 number one 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 4th seed and 2011 Wimbledon Champion Petra Kvitová, 6–2, 6–1, however it was a breakthrough tournament for Lepchenko as she had never advanced further than the 2nd round of a Grand Slam tournament previously.

Her next tournament was the 2012 Wimbledon Championships, where in the first round she defeated Austrian Patricia Mayr-Achleitner 6–2 6–3. In the second round she defeated 31 seed and former top twenty player Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7–6 6–4. Lepchenko's next match was against defending champion Petra Kvitová, where she lost in straight sets, 6–1, 6–0. 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(5).

Lepchenko then advanced to the third round of the 2012 U.S. Open, where she was defeated in straight sets by defending champion Samantha Stosur.

2013

Lepchenko began the year by playing at the 2013 Brisbane International. She lost in the 1st round to compatriot, 3rd seed, and eventual champion Serena Williams 6-2, 6-1. At the 2013 Apia International Sydney, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round to Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. As the 21st seed at the 2013 Australian Open, Lepchenko defeated Slovenian Polona Hercog in the 1st round 6-4, 6-1. She lost in the 2nd round to Elena Vesnina 6-4, 6-2. However, in doubles, she and her partner, Zheng Saisai, reached the semifinals where they lost to Australian wildcards Ashleigh Barty/Casey Dellacqua 6-2, 6-4.

Playing in the Fed Cup tie against Italy, Lepchenko won both of her matches over Roberta Vinci 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 and Sara Errani 7-5, 6-2. However, Lepchenko's 2 wins were not enough as the USA fell to Italy 3-2. At the 2013 Qatar Total Open, Lepchenko retired in her 1st round match trailing 7-6(8), 3-0 to Klára Zakopalová due to an upper respiratory illness. Ranked 23 at the 2013 Dubai Tennis Championships, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round to Hsieh Su-Wei 6-1, 6-3. Seeded 22 at the 2013 BNP Paribas Open, she received a bye into the 2nd round. Lepchenko was defeated in the 2nd round by Lara Arruabarrena 6-1, 6-4. Seeded 25 at the 2013 Sony Open Tennis, Lepchenko again received a bye to the 2nd round. She defeated Irina-Camelia Begu in the 2nd round before losing in the 3rd round to 5th seed Li Na 6-2, 6-4.

Lepchenko began her clay court season at the 2013 Family Circle Cup. Seeded 12, she lost in the 3rd round to 5th seed and compatriot Venus Williams 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. Seeded 6 at the 2013 Portugal Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the 1st round by wildcard Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-2. Playing at the 2013 Mutua Madrid Open, where she reached the quarterfinals last year, Lepchenko upset 12th seed Roberta Vinci in the 1st round 6-1, 1-6, 6-2. In the 2nd round, she was handed a walkover when Julia Görges withdrew due to illness. She was defeated in the 3rd round by 7th seed Sara Errani 7-5, 6-3. At the 2013 Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Lepchenko lost in the 2nd round to 12th seed Maria Kirilenko 6-3, 6-1. Seeded 7 at the 2013 Brussels Open, Lepchenko advanced to the quarterfinals defeating Bojana Jovanovski and wildcard Elena Baltacha. She was defeated in the quarterfinals by eventual champion Kaia Kanepi 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4). Seeded 29 at the 2013 French Open, Lepchenko reached the 3rd round after wins over Mirjana Lučić-Baroni and Elina Svitolina. She lost in the 3rd round to 8th seed and last year quarterfinalist Angelique Kerber 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-4.

Lepchenko played only one grass court tournament before Wimbledon. At the 2013 Aegon International, she lost in the 1st round to Heather Watson 6-3, 6-4. Seeded 26 at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships, Lepchenko was defeated in the 1st round by Czech qualifier Eva Birnerová 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

Lepchenko began her US Open series at the 2013 Bank of the West Classic. Seeded 6, she reached the quarterfinals after beating qualifier Michelle Larcher de Brito and Tamira Paszek. She lost in the quarterfinals to top seed and eventual finalist Agnieszka Radwańska 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-3. At the 2013 Southern California Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the 1st round by 5th seed and eventual champion Samantha Stosur 7-5, 6-1. At the 2013 Rogers Cup, Lepchenko lost in the 2nd round to Magdaléna Rybáriková 6-4, 6-2. Lepchenko played her final tournament before the US Open at the 2013 Western & Southern Open. She won her 1st round match over Flavia Pennetta 6-2, 2-6, 6-2. Lepchenko lost in the 2nd round to 4th seed Agnieszka Radwańska 6-4, 6-0. Ranked 35 at the 2013 US Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the 1st round by World Number 214 Alexandra Dulgheru 6-7(5), 6-2, 7-6(5).

Seeded 7 at the 2013 Guangzhou International Women's Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the 1st round by World Number 105 Tímea Babos 7-6(8), 7-5. Lepchenko lost her 1st round match at the 2013 Toray Pan Pacific Open to Japanese wildcard Misaki Doi 6-7(3), 6-0, 7-5. Lepchenko had her 1st win since Cincinnati at the 2013 China Open when she beat wildcard Heather Watson in the 1st round 1-6, 6-3, 6-3. In the 2nd round, she lost to 9th seed Petra Kvitová 2-6, 6-2, 6-0. At the 2013 HP Open, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round to 5th seed and eventual finalist Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-0. Lepchenko played her final tournament of the year at the 2013 Kremlin Cup. She lost in the 1st round to Russian wildcard Alisa Kleybanova 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-4.

Lepchenko ended the year ranked 53.

2014: 1st WTA Final

Lepchenko began the 2014 season at the 2014 Brisbane International. She was defeated in the 1st round by Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-3. Next, she competed at the 2014 Apia International Sydney. As the 2nd seed for qualifying, she reached the final round of qualifying where she lost to compatriot Victoria Duval 7-5, 7-5. 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 in the main draw. In the 1st round, she defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Lepchenko lost in the 2nd round to qualifier and eventual champion Tsvetana Pironkova 6-3, 6-2. Ranked 50 at the 2014 Australian Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the 2nd round by 11th seed Simona Halep 4-6, 6-0, 6-1.

At the 2014 Qatar Total Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the 1st round by World Number 27 Kaia Kanepi 6-3, 6-4. Seeded 9th for qualifying at the 2014 Dubai Tennis Championships, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round of qualifying to Maryna Zanevska 6-4, 6-3. Ranked 51 at the 2014 BNP Paribas Open, Lepchenko reached the 3rd round after wins over qualifier Alison Van Uytvanck and 29th seed Daniela Hantuchová. She lost in the 3rd round to compatriot Lauren Davis 6-3, 6-2. Ranked 49 at the 2014 Sony Open Tennis, Lepchenko won her 1st round match over Yanina Wickmayer 7-5, 6-1. In the 2nd round, she stunned 7th seed Jelena Janković 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(2). Janković led 5-1 in the 3rd set, but Lepchenko made a comeback to win the match. In the 3rd round, she beat Ajla Tomljanović in a tight 3 set match 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-6(2). In the 4th round, Lepchenko was crushed by 11th seed Caroline Wozniacki 6-0, 6-1.

Lepchenko started her clay court season at the 2014 Family Circle Cup. She lost in the 1st round to Petra Cetkovská 6-1, 2-6, 6-0. At the 2014 Mutua Madrid Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the 2nd round by 5th seed Petra Kvitová 2-6, 6-2, 6-1. Playing her final tournament before the French Open at the 2014 Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Lepchenko was defeated in the 3rd round by World Number 1 and eventual champion Serena Williams 6-1, 6-2. Ranked 58 at the 2014 French Open, Lepchenko started the tournament off by beating Petra Cetkovská in the 1st round 6-4, 6-1. She lost in the 2nd round to 8th seed Angelique Kerber 6-2, 7-5.

Lepchenko began her grass court season at the 2014 Aegon Classic. She was defeated in the 2nd round by 16th seed Casey Dellacqua 6-4, 6-3. At the 2014 Aegon International, she lost in the 2nd round to 2nd seed Petra Kvitová 6-1, 6-4. Ranked 57 at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships, Lepchenko beat World Number 40 and 2010 Wimbledon semifinalist Tsvetana Pironkova in the 1st round 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-2. She then lost in the 2nd round to Caroline Garcia 7-5, 6-3.

Lepchenko started her US Open series at the 2014 Bank of the West Classic. She advanced to the semifinals defeating Caroline Garcia, 2nd seed Agnieszka Radwańska, and American qualifier Sachia Vickery. In the semifinals, she lost to 3rd seed Angelique Kerber 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2. Lepchenko was playing really well against Kerber. After winning the 1st set, she led 5-2 in the 2nd set before Kerber came back to not only win the 2nd set but also to win the match. Seeded 6 for qualifying at the 2014 Western & Southern Open, Lepchenko qualified for the main draw beating Alexandra Dulgheru and Anna Tatishvili. She lost in the 1st round to Samantha Stosur 6-2, 7-5. Seeded 6 for qualifying at the 2014 Connecticut Open, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round of qualifying to Aleksandra Wozniak 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(5). Ranked 52 at the 2014 US Open, Lepchenko reached the 3rd round after wins over Alison Van Uytvanck and Mona Barthel. She lost in the 3rd round to World Number 1 and eventual champion Serena Williams 6-3, 6-3.

Seeded 5th at the 2014 Korea Open, Lepchenko reached her 1st WTA final defeating Olivia Rogowska, wildcard Han Na-lae, top seed and defending champion Agnieszka Radwańska, and Christina McHale. In her 1st WTA Final, Lepchenko was defeated by 2nd seed Karolína Plíšková 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2. Nevertheless, after the tournament, her ranking improved from 43 to 35. Seeded 2nd for qualifying at the 2014 China Open, Lepchenko lost in the final round of qualifying to 10th seed Sílvia Soler Espinosa 1-6, 7-5, 6-2. Seeded 4th at the 1st edition of the 2014 Tianjin Open, she was defeated in the quarterfinals by 6th seed, compatriot, and eventual champion Alison Riske 7-6(5), 6-3. Lepchenko competed in her final tournament of the year at the 2014 BGL Luxembourg Open. Seeded 5, she advanced to the quarterfinals after beating wildcard Julia Görges and Jana Čepelová. She lost in the quarterfinals to qualifier Denisa Allertová 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Lepchenko ended the season ranked 36.

2015

Lepchenko started the 2015 season at the 2015 Brisbane International. In the 1st round, she beat Home Crowd favorite Samantha Stosur 4-6, 6-4, 7-5. In the 2nd 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 2nd seed Ana Ivanovic 7-6(2), 6-4. Lepchenko twice served for the opening set but Ivanovic came back both times to win the 1st set tiebreaker and eventually the match. Seeded 30 at the 2015 Australian Open, Lepchenko advanced to the 3rd round after beating Vitalia Diatchenko and Ajla Tomljanović. She was defeated in the 3rd round by 6th seed Agnieszka Radwańska 6-0, 7-5.

Seeded 1 for qualifying at the 2015 Monterrey Open, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round of qualifying to Michelle Larcher de Brito 6-0, 6-1. Seeded 26 at the 2015 BNP Paribas Open, Lepchenko was given a bye into the 2nd round. She was defeated in the 3rd round by 3rd seed and eventual champion Simona Halep 6-1, 3-6, 6-1. Seeded 28 at the 2015 Miami Open, Lepchenko received a 1st round bye. She lost in the 2nd round to Kaia Kanepi 6-2, 6-4.

Lepchenko began her clay court season at the 2015 Family Circle Cup. Seeded 10, she retired down 2-6, 1-2 in her 1st round match against Andreea Mitu due to a lower back injury. At the 2015 Mutua Madrid Open, Lepchenko lost in the 2nd round to Barbora Strýcová 6-4, 6-2. Despite qualifying for the 2015 Internationaux de Strasbourg, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round to Lesia Tsurenko 6-4, 7-6(4). Ranked 34 at the 2015 French Open, she was defeated in the 1st round by 16th seed and compatriot Madison Keys 7-6(3), 6-3.

Lepchenko started her preparations for Wimbledon at the 1st edition of the 2015 Aegon Open Nottingham. As the 3rd seed, she lost in the 1st round to eventual finalist Monica Niculescu 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. At the 2015 Aegon Classic, Lepchenko was defeated in the 1st round by 12th seed Victoria Azarenka 7-6(7), 6-4. Playing her final tournament before Wimbledon at the 2015 Aegon International, she lost in the 1st round to Heather Watson 7-6(5), 6-2. Ranked 40 at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships, Lepchenko was defeated in the 1st round by 20th seed and eventual finalist Garbiñe Muguruza 6-4, 6-1.

Lepchenko started her US Open Series at the 2015 Bank of the West Classic. She started the tournament off by beating Mirjana Lučić-Baroni in the 1st round 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(4). In the 2nd round, she stunned top seed Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-2. In the quarterfinals, Lepchenko defeated Mona Barthel 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-3 to reach the semifinals for the 2nd year in a row. In her semifinal match, she lost to 4th seed Karolína Plíšková 6-2, 7-5. At the 2015 Rogers Cup, Lepchenko was defeated in the 1st round by Barbora Strýcová 6-2, 6-4. Lepchenko played one more tournamrnt before the US Open, which was at the 2015 Western & Southern Open. She reached the 3rd round where she lost to qualifier Anna Karolína Schmiedlová 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Ranked 46 at the 2015 US Open, Lepchenko advanced to the 4th round defeating Kirsten Flipkens, Lesia Tsurenko, and Mona Barthel. She was defeated in the 4th round by 20th seed Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-4.

Seeded 4th at the 2015 Korea Open, Lepchenko lost in the 2nd round to Elizaveta Kulichkova 6-0, 6-2. At the 2015 Wuhan Open, she was defeated in the 2nd round by 12th seed Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-2. Staying in China to play at the 2015 China Open, she lost in the 1st round to Chinese wildcard Qiang Wang 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. At the 2015 Generali Ladies Linz, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round to Kirsten Flipkens 6-3, 7-6(3). Lepchenko competed in her final tournament of the year at the 2015 Kremlin Cup. She was defeated in the 1st round by Russian Margarita Gasparyan 7-5, 7-6(4).

Lepchenko ended the year ranked 46.

2016

Lepchenko began her 2016 season at the 2016 Brisbane International. She won her 1st round match easily over Anna Karolína Schmiedlová 6-2, 6-1. In the 2nd round, she won when 2nd seed Garbiñe Muguruza retired at 7-6(9), 1-0 due to a left foot injury. In the quarterfinals, she lost to 6th seed Carla Suárez Navarro 4-6, 6-4, 7-5. Ranked 51 at the 2016 Australian Open, Lepchenko won her first 2 matches over 31st seed Lesia Tsurenko and Lara Arruabarrena. She was defeated in the 3rd round by qualifier Shuai Zhang 6-1, 6-3.

Seeded 1 for qualifying at the 2016 Dubai Tennis Championships, Lepchenko lost in the final round of qualifying to 6th seed Saisai Zheng 7-5, 6-1. At the 2016 Qatar Total Open, she was defeated in the 1st round by Saisai Zheng 6-2, 7-6(6). Lepchenko then missed two months from tour citing a knee injury.

Lepchenko returned to action at the 2016 Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Seeded 8 for qualifying, Lepchenko was defeated in the final round of qualifying by Kiki Bertens 6-2, 6-3. Before the French Open, Lepchenko competed at the 2016 Nürnberger Versicherungscup. She advanced to the quarterfinals beating German wildcard Katharina Hobgarski and 5th seed Sabine Lisicki. She lost in the quarterfinals to eventual finalist Mariana Duque Mariño 5-7, 7-6(4), 7-5. Ranked 64 at the 2016 French Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the 1st round by 27th seed Ekaterina Makarova 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.

Seeded 2nd at the 2016 Bol Open, Lepchenko lost in the 2nd round to eventual champion Mandy Minella 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-4.

Lepchenko started her grass court season at the 2016 Ricoh Open. She was defeated in the 2nd round by top seed Belinda Bencic 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Seeded 3rd for qualifying at the 2016 Aegon Classic Birmingham, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round of qualifying to Laura Robson 6-4, 6-1. Seeded 7 for qualifying at the 2016 Aegon International Eastbourne, Lepchenko qualified for the main draw defeating Sorana Cîrstea and 14th seed Saisai Zheng. She lost easily in the 1st round to Eugenie Bouchard 6-1, 6-2. Ranked 64 at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships, Lepchenko won her 1st round match over Teliana Pereira 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-2. In the 2nd round, she lost to 4th seed and eventual finalist Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-4.

Lepchenko started her preparations for the US Open at the 2016 Bank of the West Classic. Seeded 8, she was defeated in the 1st round by compatriot Alison Riske 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(4). Seeded 1 for qualifying at the 2016 Rogers Cup, Lepchenko fell in the final round of qualifying to Alla Kudryavtseva 6-2, 6-2. However, due to Garbiñe Muguruza pulling out of the tournament due to a gastrointestinal illness, Lepchenko not only got a Lucky Loser spot into the main draw, but she also got a bye to the 2nd round. She beat qualifier Naomi Broady in the 2nd round 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. In the 3rd round, Lepchenko lost to 15th seed Johanna Konta 6-3, 6-2. Seeded 11 for qualifying at the 2016 Western & Southern Open, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round of qualifying to Donna Vekić 7-6(6), 7-6(4). Seeded 7 for qualifying at the 2016 Connecticut Open, she was defeated in the 2nd round of qualifying by Johanna Larsson 6-3, 7-5. Ranked 68 at the 2016 US Open, Lepchenko reached the 3rd round after beating Peng Shuai and 15th seed Timea Bacsinszky. She lost in the 3rd round to Ana Konjuh 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.

At the 2016 Japan Women's Open, Lepchenko reached the quarterfinals after wins over Japanese wildcard Risa Ozaki and 4th seed Johanna Larsson. In the quarterfinals, she lost to 6th seed Shuai Zhang 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-3. Staying in Japan to play at the 2016 Toray Pan Pacific Open, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round to Olympic Gold Medalist Monica Puig 6-0, 6-3. At the 2016 Wuhan Open, she was defeated in the 1st round by Lucie Šafářová 7-5, 6-3. Seeded 15 for qualifying at the 2016 China Open, Lepchenko lost in the final round of qualifying to 4th seed Kateřina Siniaková 2-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(4). Competing at the 2016 Hong Kong Tennis Open, she was defeated in the 1st round by Alizé Cornet 6-3, 6-2. Lepchenko played her final tournament of the season at the 2016 BGL Luxembourg Open. She started off by beating Tsvetana Pironkova in the 1st round 6-1, 3-6, 6-1. She was defeated in the 2nd round by top seed and eventual finalist Petra Kvitová 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

Lepchenko ended the year ranked 87.

2017

Lepchenko began the 2017 year at the 2017 ASB Classic. She beat qualifier Arina Rodionova in the 1st round 6-3, 6-4. In the 2nd round, Lepchenko lost to 3rd seed Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 6-3. At the 2017 Apia International Sydney, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round of qualifying to Ying-Ying Duan 6-1, 6-4. Ranked 88 at the 2017 Australian Open, she upset 19th seed Kiki Bertens in the 1st round 7-5, 7-6(5). In the 2nd round, Lepchenko lost in a 3 set thriller to Ying-Ying Duan 6-1, 3-6, 10-8.

Seeded 2 at the 2017 Dow Tennis Classic, Lepchenko was defeated in the quarterfinals by Canadian qualifier Katherine Sebov 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5). Traveling to Mexico to play at the 2017 Abierto Mexicano Telcel, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round to 2nd seed Kristina Mladenovic 6-2, 6-3. Seeded 10 for qualifying at the 2017 BNP Paribas Open, Lepchenko qualified for the main draw defeating wildcard Anna Karolína Schmiedlová and Lucie Hradecká. She beat Yaroslava Shvedova in her 1st round match 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. In the 2nd round, she fell to 25th seed Tímea Babos 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2. Seeded 8 for qualifying at the 2017 Miami Open, Lepchenko successfully qualified beating Sílvia Soler Espinosa and 22nd seed Mariana Duque Mariño. In the 1st round, she defeated compatriot Lauren Davis 6-3, 6-3. She lost in the 2nd round to 12th seed and eventual finalist Caroline Wozniacki 6-1, 6-2.

Beginning her clay court season at the 2017 Volvo Car Open, Lepchenko lost in the 1st round to 15th seed Lucie Šafářová 7-5, 6-7(6), 6-3. Seeded 6 for qualifying at the 2016 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Lepchenko was defeated in the 1st round of qualifying by Evgeniya Rodina 2-6, 6-1, 6-3. Competing in Morocco at the 2017 Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem, Lepchenko advanced to the semifinals defeating Kirsten Flipkens, 5th seed Yulia Putintseva, and compatriot CiCi Bellis. She lost her semifinal match to wildcard and eventual finalist Francesca Schiavone 7-5, 6-4. At the 2017 Internazionali BNL d'Italia, she was defeated in the final round of qualifying by Mona Barthel 7-5, 7-6(4). Lepchenko played her final tournament before the French Open at the 2017 Nürnberger Versicherungscup. She lost in the 2nd round to Sorana Cîrstea 6-0, 6-7(4), 6-3. Ranked 68 at the 2017 French Open, Lepchenko beat Andrea Petkovic in the 1st round 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. In the 2nd round, she lost a tough match to 14th seed Elena Vesnina 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.

Lepchenko began her preparations for Wimbledon at the 2017 Ricoh Open. She lost in the 1st round to Camila Giorgi 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-2. Playing in Spain at the 2017 Mallorca Open, Lepchenko was defeated in the 2nd round by 2nd seed and eventual champion Anastasija Sevastova 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-3. She played her final tournament before Wimbledon at the 2017 Aegon International Eastbourne. Seeded 6 for qualifying, she made it into the main draw beating British wildcard Katie Swan and 9th seed Risa Ozaki. In the 1st round, she lost to Shuai Zhang 6-2, 6-1. Ranked 68 at the 2017 Wimbledon Championships, Lepchenko upset 28th seed and compatriot Lauren Davis in the 1st round 6-4, 7-5. In the 2nd round, she was defeated by qualifier Polona Hercog 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-2.

Seeded 14 for qualifying at the 2017 Rogers Cup, Lepchenko qualified for the main draw defeating Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski and top seed Magdaléna Rybáriková. In the 1st round, she stunned 12th seed and French Open Champion Jeļena Ostapenko 1-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(5). In the 2nd round, Lepchenko lost to Caroline Garcia 6-1, 6-4. Seeded 14 for qualifying at the 2017 Western & Southern Open, Lepchenko qualified defeating wildcard and compatriot Kayla Day and compatriot Jennifer Brady. In the main draw, she lost in the 1st round to qualifier Ashleigh Barty 6-4, 6-4. Seeded 12 for qualifying at the 2017 Connecticut Open, Lepchenko lost in the 2nd round of qualifying to Carina Witthöft 6-2, 6-3. Ranked 64 at the 2017 US Open, she was defeated in the 1st round by 3rd seed and Wimbledon Champion Garbiñe Muguruza 6-0, 6-3.

Seeded 5 at the 2017 Coupe Banque Nationale, Lepchenko won her 1st round match over Canadian wildcard Aleksandra Wozniak 6-1, 2-6, 6-1. In the 2nd round, she lost to Canadian Françoise Abanda 5-7, 7-5, 6-4.

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 United States at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Lepchenko currently resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania and trains with the USTA in New York City.