Pliskova

Beatriz Haddad Maia lifted her breakthrough season to another new height, topping last year's finalist Karolina Pliskova to reach the final of the National ...

In the tiebreak, Haddad Maia could not hold onto mini-breaks at 3-2 and 5-4, and she did not convert a match point at 6-5. However, with Pliskova serving for the set at 5-3, Haddad Maia found a series of powerful groundstrokes when she needed them, pulling back on serve. But Haddad Maia was up to the task, powering to a quick hold. Haddad Maia also became the first Brazilian to reach a WTA 1000 quarterfinal, semifinal, and final this week. Haddad Maia then had to save a set point at 7-6 with a forehand winner, but on the Brazilian's second match point at 8-7, Pliskova double faulted to end the clash. Haddad Maia has won 17 matches on tour since June, second only to Caroline Garcia’s 20 match-wins during that timeframe.

Beatriz Haddad Maia won against Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 7-6 (7) (WTA)

“It’s very tough to play against Karolina,” Haddad Maia told the crowd after her victory. I play here alone on the court but there are a lot of people who help me to be at this ranking, so just shows that we are in the right way.” The 24-year-old is the first Brasilian to reach the final in Canada, and she will rise to No 16 in the rankings as a result of reaching her third final of 2022.

Simona Halep will bid for a third Canadian title at the WTA Toronto Masters on Sunday against determined Brazilian outsider Beatriz Haddad Maia.

"In the first set, it was a little bit too fast. "She was hitting super strong and I didn't feel the rhythm. "I had a very tough draw. That's why I'm having the chance to play tomorrow against Simona in the final. "Of course, I can improve," Halep added. "So I didn't really know what to expect.

Beatriz Haddad Maia reached her first career WTA 1000 final at the National Bank Open by beating Karolina Pliskova in straight sets.

In the tiebreak, both teams had their fair share of chances, but it was Melichar-Martinez and Perez who were, more often than not, able to get in the first strike, with Melichar converting the team’s first set point with a strong volley. In the tiebreak, Haddad Maia and Pliskova traded minibreaks, and the Czech had a set point at 7-6. With a double fault from Pliskova on match point, Haddad Maia moved into Sunday’s showpiece, much to the delight of the Brazilian contingent in Toronto. Haddad Maia later secured a second break to lead 4-1, but she lost one of them when serving for the set at 5-2 in a marathon six-deuce game in which she squandered three set points. She would maintain this advantage until 5-3, when Haddad Maia, who had a short lapse in concentration but continued to grind out every point, broke to stay in the set. Halep has won two of their first three meetings, but Haddad Maia came out on top in three sets when they met at the Birmingham Classic a couple of months ago.

Karolina Pliskova failed to reach the final in Canada once more as Beatriz Hadda Maia got her first one with a 6-4 7-6(7) win. A dream season of Haddad Maia ...

She squandered her first match point but converted the 2nd one for her maiden final. That momentum from the last couple of games of the final set gave Pliskova enough to take a 3-0 at the start of the 2nd set. A dream season of Haddad Maia continues with the Brazilian through to her maiden WTA 1000 final.