Tennis: Beatriz Haddad Maia wins WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai

Brazil’s Rising Star Beats Zheng Qinwen to Claim First Major Title

In a thrilling battle at the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, China, Brazil’s rising tennis star, Beatriz Haddad Maia, secured her biggest career victory by defeating China’s Zheng Qinwen. The intense match lasted two hours and 51 minutes and ended with a score of 7-6 (13-11), 7-6 (7-4) in favor of Haddad Maia.

Haddad Maia, currently ranked number 19 globally, showcased her exceptional skills and composure throughout the tournament. This triumph marks her first title above the prestigious WTA 250 level and third overall.

The Remarkable Journey of the WTA Elite Trophy Winner

The WTA Elite Trophy is an esteemed season-ending event for players ranked between ninth and nineteenth place. Those ranked higher participate in the highly anticipated WTA Finals.

Haddad Maia will now make a significant jump in the world rankings following her outstanding performance at the tournament. She is set to secure at least an eleventh-place ranking after competing in Cancun for the upcoming finals.

A Chance for More Success: Doubles Final Awaits

Holding onto this wave of success, Haddad Maia has another opportunity to add to her trophy collection as she partners with Russian player Veronika Kudermetova in the doubles final. They will face off against second-seeded pair Miyu Kato from Japan and Indonesia’s Aldila Sutjiadi.

A Grueling First Set Leads to Victory

The first set of the match lasted an intense 86 minutes, filled with exhilarating moments. Haddad Maia faced adversity as she missed three set points during the tie-break but demonstrated immense resilience to claim victory in the opener.

Zheng Qinwen, fueled by her home crowd support, showcased her fighting spirit throughout the game. Despite losing serve early on in the second set, she managed to level up at 3-3 before surrendering another crucial break.

Dramatic Conclusion: Haddad Maia Triumphs

In a nail-biting finish, Haddad Maia served for the title. However, Zheng fought back valiantly and leveled the scores at 5-5 while coming tantalizingly close to winning the set after a quick lead of 30-0 on Haddad Maia’s serve at 6-5.

Haddad Maia’s formidable serve proved pivotal in securing victory as she unleashed three powerful service winners during an electrifying tie-breaker – ultimately claiming her well-deserved championship on her second championship point.