Brazil: Bia Haddad Maia wins biggest singles title of tennis career
Beatriz Haddad Maia, known as Bia, clinched the most significant singles title of her career in Zhuhai, China, on Sunday (Oct. 29). She emerged victorious in the WTA Elite Trophy, a tournament that assembles the best tennis players ranked outside the world's top eight.
It took the Brazilian two hours and 50 minutes to defeat Qinwen Zheng, who is ranked 18th in the world. She won the match with a score of 2 sets to 0, both in tie-breaks, 7/6 and 7/6. This victory in Zhuhai marks Maia's third singles title. Last June, she clinched the titles in the Nottingham and Birmingham tournaments in the UK.
Maia's recent title in China brings her back into the top 10 of the Women's World Tennis Association (WTA) rankings. In the upcoming list update, this Brazilian athlete, presently positioned 19th, will gain an additional 700 points, and attain the 11th spot.
Moreover, Maia also achieved victory in the Elite Trophy doubles tournament. She and her partner, Russian Veronika Kudermetova, defeated Japan's Miyu Kato and Indonesia's Aldila Sutjiadi 2 sets to 0.
Bia claimed a $605,000 prize for the singles title, with an additional $55,000 split between the athletes for their doubles victory.
