The Korea Open final is set for a thrilling encounter as top seed Daria Kasatkina of Russia will face off against Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia. Both players emerged victorious from their respective semifinals, each securing their wins in straight sets.
Kasatkina, ranked 13th in the world, overcame a tough challenge from fellow Russian Diana Shnaider in a semifinal match that saw 11 breaks of serve. The match was played on a busy Saturday in Seoul after rain washed out the previous day’s schedule, forcing all the quarterfinal and semifinal matches into one day. Despite the pressure, Kasatkina remained composed and ultimately secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Meanwhile, Haddad Maia, seeded third, demonstrated her experience and resilience to overcome Veronika Kudermetova in their semifinal match. The Brazilian star claimed a 6-4, 6-4 win, marking her second final appearance in three tournaments. Haddad Maia also overcame a grueling quarterfinal match, where she defeated Polina Kudermetova 6-2, 6-1, earning her a semifinal matchup against her beaten opponent’s older sister. The semifinal saw Haddad Maia once again rise to the challenge, battling through another day of challenging weather conditions in the South Korean capital.
The upcoming final presents a fascinating clash between two talented players. Kasatkina and Haddad Maia have faced each other three times previously, with the Brazilian winning two of those encounters. However, Kasatkina secured their most recent meeting, in the semifinals in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.
Haddad Maia is optimistic about her chances in the final, stating, “I’m happy that I could find myself in this match. I improved a little bit my game from the first match I had today, so I’m happy. Tomorrow I have another opportunity to do it better.”
Kasatkina, meanwhile, is focused on enjoying her experience in Seoul. “To reach the final at a tournament is always a great feeling — it means that you have done good through all the week,” she said. “I’m really happy to be in the final again. I’m taking as much time as I can here in Seoul.”
The Korea Open final promises to be a thrilling match between two determined players. Both Kasatkina and Haddad Maia are eager to showcase their skills and leave their mark on the tournament. Fans around the world will be tuning in to witness this exciting showdown.
