In what was a marathon affair, the final clocked in at a staggering two hours and 51 minutes, setting the record for the lengthiest straight-sets match of this tour season.
Brazil’s own Beatriz Haddad Maia stood her ground against Zheng Qinwen of China, ultimately taking home the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, China this past Sunday.
Coming in as the 19th-ranked player in the world, Haddad Maia battled it out for nearly three grueling hours before finally besting Zheng with a nail-biting 7-6 (13-11) 7-6 (7-4) scoreline, sealing the most significant win of her professional life.
This marks Haddad Maia’s inaugural title win at a level higher than WTA 250, and it is her third championship overall.
The WTA Elite Trophy serves as the curtain-closer of the season for players whose rankings fall between the 9th and 19th slots. Those who rank above this bracket battle it out in the WTA Finals.
Post her victory, Haddad Maia is poised to climb the world rankings, and is expected to settle in at least the 11th spot after the conclusion of the WTA Finals, which are set to kick off later the same day in Cancun.
But wait, there’s more—our Brazilian powerhouse isn’t done just yet! Haddad Maia has her sights set on another piece of silverware. She’s teaming up with her Russian doubles partner, Veronika Kudermetova, to go up against the number two seeds, Miyu Kato from Japan and Aldila Sutjiadi from Indonesia, in the doubles finale.
The first set itself was a saga. Lasting an unbelievable 86 minutes, Haddad Maia had a few nail-biting moments, squandering three set points in the tie-break before ultimately clinching the first set.
Zheng, although struggling initially, was galvanized by her local fans. She managed to equalize the score at 3-3 in the second set but faltered in the very next game, losing her serve.
As Haddad Maia stepped up to serve for what would be a title-clinching win, Zheng, who is ranked 18th globally, showed her grit once again. She clawed back to make it 5-5 and was tantalizingly close to snagging the second set, leading 30-0 on Haddad Maia’s serve at 6-5.
However, the Brazilian wasn’t having any of it. Her service game was a rock, particularly in the decisive tie-break, where she fired off three service winners—the last one nailing her second championship point.
Live scores, results, and the upcoming order of play can be found online.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Beatriz Haddad Maia
What is the WTA Elite Trophy?
The WTA Elite Trophy is a prestigious women’s tennis event that marks the season’s end for players ranked between ninth and 19th in the world.
Who won the WTA Elite Trophy in this particular tournament?
Beatriz Haddad Maia, a talented Brazilian player ranked 19th globally, emerged victorious in this thrilling tournament.
How long did the final match last?
The final match between Beatriz Haddad Maia and Zheng Qinwen was an intense battle that lasted for an incredible two hours and 51 minutes.
What were the final scores of the match?
Beatriz Haddad Maia secured her win with a final score of 7-6 (13-11) 7-6 (7-4) against Zheng Qinwen.
What milestone did Beatriz Haddad Maia achieve with this victory?
This victory marked a significant milestone for Beatriz Haddad Maia, as it was her first title above the WTA 250 level and her third overall.
What’s next for Haddad Maia after winning the WTA Elite Trophy?
Following her victory, Haddad Maia is expected to climb the world rankings, potentially reaching at least the 11th spot. Additionally, she has a chance to compete in the doubles final alongside her partner, Veronika Kudermetova, in the same tournament.
Can you describe the key moments in the match?
The match had its share of dramatic moments. Haddad Maia missed three set points in the tie-break of the first set but managed to claim it. In the second set, Zheng briefly leveled the scores at 3-3 before losing her serve. The Brazilian served for the title, but Zheng fought back to make it 5-5 and came close to taking the set at 6-5, 30-0 on Haddad Maia’s serve. However, Haddad Maia’s strong serve helped her secure the win in the tie-break.
Where and when will the WTA Finals take place?
The WTA Finals are set to take place in Cancun, following the conclusion of the WTA Elite Trophy.
More about Beatriz Haddad Maia
- WTA Elite Trophy
- Beatriz Haddad Maia
- Zheng Qinwen
- WTA Finals
- Veronika Kudermetova
- Miyu Kato
- Aldila Sutjiadi
3 comments
Tennis tech, any? New gadgets for tennis players?
Wait, Beatriz plays tennis too? Thought she’s into movies and stuff!
wowza, this match super long, like almost 3 hrs!! Bea Haddad Maia gr8 job!