Beatriz Haddad Maia is the first finalist at the Huafa Technology WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai

Beatriz Haddad Maia (Brazil) qualified for the finals of the Huafa Technology WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, China. The Brazilian tennis player defeated Daria Kasatkina (Russia) by 2-0 (6:4, 6:1) in the semi-finals of the tournament with a prize pool of 2.4 million USD.

Beatriz Haddad Maia made one break in the first set from the first breakpoint in the match. In the second set, Daria Kasatkina saved three breakpoints in the second game, but in the fourth was unable to stop the impetus of her opponent and Beatriz Haddad Maia took a lead of 3:1. The Brazilian tennis player made another break and closed the set at 6:1, qualifying for the final of the tournament.

On her route to the final, Beatriz Haddad Maia defeated the second-seeded Madison Keys (USA) by 2-0 (6:4, 6:4) and the 9th-seeded Caroline Garcia (France) by 2-0 (6:1, 7:6).

Beatriz Haddad Maia has a career-high in the WTA rankings at world No 10, becoming the first Brazilian woman to enter the Top 10 in singles since the rankings were introduced. She has won two singles and five doubles titles on the WTA Tour, one singles and doubles title each on the WTA Challenger Tour, as well as 17 singles and nine doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit.