Beatriz Haddad Maia Shocks Petra Kvitova at Queen’s Club WTA Event
Brazilian tennis star Beatriz Haddad Maia mounted a stunning comeback to defeat former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the opening round of the new WTA 500 event at Queen’s Club on Monday.
In a match that showcased determination and skill, Haddad Maia overcame a one-set deficit to prevail 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 against the seasoned Czech player. This event marks a historic return of top-tier women’s tennis to the prestigious London grass courts after a 52-year hiatus.
Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon winner making a return to the tour after a 17-month maternity break, started strong. Playing on the immaculate center court named after British champion Andy Murray, she captivated the crowd with her powerful serves and precision.
Despite losing the first set, the 27-year-old Haddad Maia remained resilient. “Petra is one of the best players on grass, and it’s a privilege to compete against her,” she said after the match. Her persistence paid off as she broke Kvitova’s serve early in the deciding set, securing her place in the second round where she will face American third seed Emma Navarro.
Other matches saw German qualifier Tatjana Maria defeating 2021 U.S. Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez 7-6(4), 6-2. Anastasia Zakharova ousted last year’s Wimbledon semi-finalist Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-3, setting up a clash with American Madison Keys.
The excitement continues as Britain’s Emma Raducanu is set to take the court on Tuesday against Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa. Reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova will also continue her grass-court season against Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova.
