US Open quarterfinalist Beatriz Haddad Maia overcame first-set jitters within the Korea Open last to beat high seed Daria Kasatkina, 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, profitable the primary WTA 500 singles title of her profession Sunday.
Haddad Maida, who misplaced the ultimate in Seoul in 2017, bounced again within the second set with deadly forehands that brushed the traces, and cruised by the third set to safe her first title of the 12 months.
“One other powerful match … hope we’ve many extra to come back,” Kasatkina advised Haddad Maia after dropping her second match to the Brazilian, having gained their first two clashes.
Russian world No. 13 Kasatkina gained 5 video games in a row to clinch the primary set in simply 26 minutes as third seed Haddad Maida struggled together with her serves, profitable solely 9 of her 20 service factors.
Kasatkina broke on the primary recreation of the second set, however Haddad Maia put up a greater struggle, getting her first break of the match to make it 3-3, making a pissed off Kasatkina chase her returns to the ends of the court docket.
World No. 17 Haddad Maia saved an important break level to take a 5-4 lead, trying more and more comfy in lengthy rallies. She broke within the subsequent recreation to safe the second set with a powerful forehand.
A remodeled Haddad Maia was in management within the decisive set, profitable 17 of her 22 service factors and breaking twice in a row to safe victory.
“I need to come again once more subsequent 12 months,” the 28-year-old stated after profitable her fourth WTA singles title.
