Monday, 30 October 2023

Haddad Maia wins WTA Elite Trophy

WTA Elite Trophy - final day

2023 Huafa Technology WTA Elite Trophya WTA invitation only tournament, on Hard Outdoor, Zhuhai, China, 24-29 October 2023.

Tournament last held in 2019. 
2020, 2021 cancelled due to COVID.
2022 cancelled due to concerns for Peng Shuai 

2019 champion (not defending):
Aryna Sabalenka (4) who defeated Kiki Bertens (1) 6-4 6-2

Final:

Beatriz Haddad Maia (8) (Brazil) v Zheng Qinwen (7) (China)

First meeting between the players.

Zheng Qinwen saved a break point in the second game of set one before holding serve.
Haddad Maia was broken in the fifth game and trailed 2-3.
Zheng Qinwen saved two break points in the next game and held to consolidate for 4-2.

Haddad Maia broke back in the eighth game to level at 4-4.
No more break chances and a tie break was required. 

Haddad Maia served for the set at 6-5 but lost the point.
Zheng Qinwen served for the set at 7-6 but lost the point.
Haddad Maia served for the set at 10-9 but lost the point.
Zheng Qinwen served for the set at 11-10 but lost the point.

At 11-11, Zheng Qinwen lost the point on her serve.
Haddad Maia served out the set 7-6(11).

Haddad Maia broke serve in game three of set two to lead 2-1.
Zheng Qinwen broke back in game six to level at 3-3.

Haddad Maia broke again next game for 4-3, but Zheng Qinwen levelled in the tenth game 5-5.

A second tie break occurred.

With an early mini break Zheng Qinwen led 2-1 with two serves to come.
However, Haddad Maia won both of those points and controlled the remainder of the tie break.
At 6-3 the Brazilian had three match points.

Zheng Qinwen saved one, but not the next, and the match was over.

Beatriz Haddad Maia won 7-6(11) 7-6(4) to claim her third title, the first since Birmingham in June 2022

No comments:

Post a Comment