In the Korea Open final, Beatriz Haddad Maia, a quarterfinalist at the US Open, overcame nerves in the opening set to defeat top seed Daria Kasatkina 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, and won her first-ever WTA 500 singles championship on Sunday. Haddad Maida, who lost the 2017 Seoul final, came back with deadly forehands that slid beyond the lines in the second set and won the third to claim her first championship of the year.
“Yet another hard contest. After losing her second match to the Brazilian after winning their first two meetings, Kasatkina said to Haddad Maia, “I hope we have many more to come.” Also read: Felix Auger-Aliassime Net Worth 2024, Prize Money, Endorsements, Cars, Houses, Properties, Charities Etc.
13th place in the globe for Russia In just twenty-six minutes, Kasatkina had sealed the opening set with five straight victories, while Haddad Maida, the third seed, could only muster nine of her twenty service points.
In the opening game of the second set, Kasatkina broke, but Haddad Maia fought back better, breaking for the first time in the match to tie the score at 3-3. This caused Kasatkina to become irate and start chasing her returns to the ends of the court.
World No. 17 Haddad Maia survived a vital break point to take a 5-4 lead, looking increasingly comfortable in long rallies. With a powerful forehand, she broke in the following game to win the second set. Also read: Beatriz Haddad Maia into Korea Open semis