Haddad Maia reaches semifinals at Korea Open after dominant win

Beatriz Haddad Maia achieved a significant victory at the Korea Open, advancing to the semifinals after defeating Polina Kudermetova with a score of 6-2, 6-1. The match took place on Saturday, following a day of rain that had postponed all play on Friday. This win marks a strong performance for Haddad Maia, who was the runner-up in the same tournament back in 2017. The match was held on Centre Court, coinciding with another match featuring Kudermetova's sister, Veronika, who was competing against Viktoriya Tomova on the Grandstand Court. While Beatriz dominated her match, Veronika secured a victory of her own, defeating Tomova 7-5, 6-3. Haddad Maia was set to face Veronika Kudermetova in the first semifinal later that day, presenting an opportunity for her to defeat both sisters in a single day. This matchup adds an intriguing layer to the tournament, as it showcases the competitive spirit within the Kudermetova family. In the other quarterfinals, top-seeded Daria Kasatkina was up against former U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu, who was looking to reach her first semifinal above WTA 250 level since her 2021 victory. Additionally, fourth-seeded Diana Shnaider faced fifth-seeded Marta Kostyuk, further intensifying the competition at this prestigious event.