BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom, 19 June 2022 (AFP) – A week after becoming champion of the Nottingham tournament, Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, 32nd in the world rankings, won the Birmingham tournament on grass this Sunday as well.
In just one week, the 26-year-old has won only two WTA singles titles in his career so far.
Prior to that season on grass, before the Wimbledon tournament, Biya Haddad had played in just one WTA Finals, which she lost in Seoul in September 2017.
This Sunday, he won the final in Birmingham against Chinese Zhang Shuai (54th), who had to be abandoned when Brazil won 5-4.
The semi-finals took place shortly before the final as they could not be played on Saturday due to rain.
At that time, Biya Haddad defeated former world number one Simona Halep (20th) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.
After the achievement, he thanked his team. “We came across a title last week and it wasn’t enough”, he observed.
“He pushed me, trying to break boundaries and make me stronger every day. I wouldn’t have won this trophy without him.”
In her semi-final, Shuai Zhang also defeated another Romanian tennis player, Sorana Cristia (36th), 4–6, 6–1 and 7–6 (7/5).
At the age of 33, the Chinese woman played her sixth final. He won three WTA titles, last March in Lyon (France).
— Birmingham WTA Tournament
– Singles – Semifinals:
Shuai Zhang (Chn/n.8) x Sorana Cristia (Rom/n.6) 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5)
Beatriz Haddad Maya (BRA) x Simona Halep (ROM/N.2) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
– Simple – Final:
Beatriz Haddad Maya (BRA) x Shuai Zhang (CHN/N.8) 5-4 and retirement
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