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Writer's pictureMatan Slonim

JABEUR ON TOP IN BERLIN, HADDAD MAIA ON THE RISE


Photographs: Ons Jabeur, Beatriz Haddad Maia (Getty Images).

Ons Jabeur defeated Belinda Bencic in unfortunate circumstances to win the Bet1open in Berlin.


After injuring her ankle towards the end of the first set, Bencic could only play a few more games before retiring from the final. Despite the circumstances, Jabeur was a deserved winner, losing only one set throughout the week.


The title was Jabeur’s third of her career and she will now rise to a career-high ranking of world No. 3.


Jabeur’s second title of the season sees her become the second player on the WTA Tour to win multiple titles in 2022.


In 2021, Jabeur became the first Arab woman to win a title on the WTA Tour.


Post-match, Bencic was full of praise for her Tunisian opponent.


"You deserve this title and I really don't want to take this moment away from you," Bencic told Jabeur.


Both women will now turn their attention to Wimbledon which commences on June 27. Despite no ranking points on offer, both women will look to capture their maiden Grand Slam titles.


Beatriz Haddad Maia continued her fine form on grass, winning a second straight title after her opponent Shuai Zhang retired in the first set.



The Brazilian had not won a WTA title before arriving in England for the grass-court swing and she will now head into the third major of the year with tremendous form.


Due to heavy rain in Birmingham on Saturday, Haddad Maia had to overcome No. 2 seed Simona Halep earlier in the day before backing up later in the day for her final. The unseeded Brazilian showed maturity beyond her experience to hang on in a seesawing final set.


Haddad Maia was full of admiration of her long-time friend in her post-match interview.


"I can't say enough ...you deserve what you had during this week. Every single day last week, you were enjoying every day. When we were warming up, we were playing doubles, you were making me feel stronger," Haddad Maia said on-court.


"You showed me, 'Why not?' We can have friends on the tour. You're a huge tennis player and a special person. Tennis is something that passes, but the human side never goes, so congratulations for the person that you are."

Haddad Maia will look to reach the third round of Wimbledon for the first time in her career.


The Brazilian has made the second round twice but failed to qualify for the main draw in 2021.


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