Beatriz hails support team after second title
EMOTIONAL Beatriz Haddad Maia made it back-to-back grass-court titles when opponent Zhang Shuai retired in yesterday’s final at the Rothesay Classic Birmingham, writes Eleanor Crooks.
After rain washed out play on Saturday, the semi-finals and final were both held yesterday, with Haddad Maia and Zhang making it through to the final via tough battles against Romanian pair Simona Halep and Sorana Cirstea, respectively.
Zhang made the better start, but Brazilian Haddad Maia, who also lifted the trophy in Nottingham last week, fought back and had taken a 5-4 lead when the Chinese player called for the trainer for treatment to her neck and decided she was unable to continue.
Speaking on court, Zhang, right, who also played a doubles match indoors on Saturday, said: “It was really tough to play after two-anda-half-hour singles and also I played seven matches this week.
“I’m really tired. Really tough to play indoor hard court and back to grass. My body is not working any more. Sorry.”
Haddad Maia climbs to a careerhigh ranking of 29 today, meaning she will be seeded for Wimbledon, and she tearfully paid tribute to her support team.
In 2020, the 26-year-old was given a ten-month doping ban despite a panel accepting her positive test was the result of a contaminated supplement and that she bore no significant fault.
Haddad Maia said: “We came from a title last week and it wasn’t enough. They were pushing, trying to break the limits and be stronger every single day. I wouldn’t have this trophy without them.
“Nobody knows what we went through the last two years. It was something that I couldn’t explain. One year ago I was playing a final in a (bottom tier) tournament.
“If I didn’t have this power, this determination, it would just be impossible. I’m really happy that I’m here with everybody here watching me play. Everything I passed through in my life just made me feel stronger.”
There was also a retirement in the final of the Bett1 Open in Berlin, where Belinda Bencic sustained an ankle injury in the final game of the first set against Ons Jabeur. Bencic carried on for three games of the second set, but then decided to throw in the towel, with Jabeur leading 6-3, 2-1.
■ Naomi Osaka is set to miss Wimbledon due to an Achilles injury.
The 24-year-old Japanese has not played since a first-round exit at the French Open and had already said her Wimbledon participation was in doubt due to the event’s lack of ranking points in 2022.
She had since posted footage of herself on social media undergoing rehab on her injury, and on Saturday wrote: “My Achilles still isn’t right so I’ll see you next time.”
On Friday, 2014 finalist Eugenie Bouchard withdrew over issues relating to the tournament not carrying ranking points.