Bia Haddad Maia, the 23rd player in the world, was defeated in the WTA 250 tournament in Cleveland, United States, on a hard court with a prize money of $267,000. After a good start, the Brazilian player lost her rhythm and was ultimately beaten by American McCartney Kessler, ranked 98th, in three sets: 1-6, 6-1, 7-5, lasting 2 hours and 6 minutes.
Bia Haddad Maia, known for her impressive skills, started the match confidently, opting for open serves and pressuring Kessler with backhand returns. However, as the match progressed, she began to make errors, allowing Kessler to recover and take control of the game.
Kessler, on the other hand, struggled initially, committing errors and being broken in the second game. However, she managed to regain momentum, fueled by the home crowd, and won six consecutive games, taking advantage of Bia's mistakes and imposing a stronger pace on the baseline.
In the third set, Haddad Maia broke again, taking a 3-1 lead. But Kessler responded by tying the game, leading to a closely contested set with both players exchanging serves. In the end, Kessler broke again in the 11th game and closed out the match with the crowd's support.
This defeat marked Bia Haddad Maia's first final of the year, following her biggest title in November last year at the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, China. She now has three career titles, with her two previous wins in 2022 on grass courts in Nottingham and Birmingham, England.
Despite the loss, Bia Haddad Maia will rise two positions in the ranking, reaching 21st place, her best result so far this year. Until now, she had only achieved one semifinal finish, six months ago in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
This was McCartney Kessler's first-ever final and her first title. The win marks a career-high moment for the American player, who had previously struggled to find consistency.
Bia Haddad Maia will undoubtedly continue her pursuit of success, aiming to regain her top form and challenge the world's best players. With her new ranking, she will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in the coming tournaments.
As the match came to a close, both players demonstrated their exceptional skills, with Bia Haddad Maia showcasing her impressive shot-making and Kessler displaying her fighting spirit and determination. Despite the defeat, Bia can take pride in her performance and look forward to future challenges.
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