Beatriz Haddad Maia defeats Kudermetova sisters to reach Korea Open final
Brazilian tennis star Beatriz Haddad Maia showcased her resilience and skill by winning two singles matches in a single day at the Korea Open on Saturday, setting up a final showdown against top-seeded Daria Kasatkina.
Due to rain delays on Friday, both the quarterfinals and semifinals had to be played on the same day. Haddad Maia first dispatched Polina Kudermetova with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory to secure her spot in the semifinals. Later, she defeated Polina’s sister, Veronika Kudermetova, in a tight 6-4, 6-4 battle.
The third-seeded Brazilian, who was the 2017 runner-up in this WTA 500-level tournament in Seoul, now faces Kasatkina in the final.
Veronika Kudermetova, the elder sister at 27, had earned her place in the semifinals earlier by overcoming Viktoriya Tomova 7-5, 6-3.
Kasatkina’s path to the final included a quarterfinal win after 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu retired with a foot injury following a 6-1 first set. Kasatkina then secured her place in the final by defeating fourth-seeded Diana Shnaider 6-3, 6-4.
The stage is set for an exciting final as Haddad Maia looks to claim the title against the formidable Kasatkina on Sunday.
