Sports Digest: Brady claims first career title as tennis returns to the U.S. Ranked 49th in the world, Brady surprises everyone with her first WTA win
Overcoming her shaky serve to earn a 6-3, 6-3 victory, Jennifer Brady won her first WTA title on Sunday over Jil Teichmann in the Top Seed Open final in Lexington, Kentucky.
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In a defensive effort during the first set, Brady saved all four breakpoints. Going on the attack in the second set, Brady won more than 80% of her first-serve points.
The WTA tournament in Lexington, Kentucky, marks the first professional tennis event in the United States since the COVID-19 pandemic forced almost all sport into postponing. No spectators were allowed at the tournament.
American @jennifurbrady95 claimed her first WTA singles title at @TopSeedTennisKY, without losing a set all week 😱
It took an hour and 42 minutes for her to triumph in her first-ever final –> https://t.co/eFo2xc6aHy pic.twitter.com/QAWORvdwgo
— wta (@WTA) August 16, 2020
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Speaking about the game:
The 25-year-old who began the week placed at 49th did not drop a set throughout the hard-court tournament and ceded only 24 games in all.
Talking about the tournament, Brady revealed the words she told herself before walking onto the court, “Okay, I have to believe in myself that I can win this”. She further revealed that had she not pushed herself, it wouldn’t have made any sense for her to walk out on the court.
Another blistering blast from @jennifurbrady95. 🔋#TSOpen pic.twitter.com/sMkE5YNNcE
— wta (@WTA) August 16, 2020
Further expressing her happiness, the tennis player revealed that everything she imagined turned into reality.
Brady put 33% of first serves in play during the first set. After one double-fault, exasperated, she exclaimed that she’s never missed this many first serves.
But by 3-all in the first set, Brady saved four breakpoints and earned the first break of the match. She then took the lead, eventually winning her first title.
That FIRST title feeling! 🥳@jennifurbrady95 defeats Jil Teichmann 6-3, 6-4 to claim the @TopSeedTennisKY 🏆 on home soil. pic.twitter.com/Ff7ABYd302
— wta (@WTA) August 16, 2020
Was COVID-19 a hindrance? Brady reveals:
The national champion at UCLA in 2014, Brady revealed that she didn’t let the coronavirus outbreak take away the win from her. She trained hard and stayed motivated.
The tennis player walked over wearing a pandemic appropriate mask to accept the first WTA trophy of her career. She made sure to apply hand sanitizer before raising her trophy overhead.
First title flex 🏆
Congrats, @jennifurbrady95! #TSOpen pic.twitter.com/ZHaxIK9kW7
— wta (@WTA) August 16, 2020
Brady talks about celebratory plans:
With not many ways to celebrate under health and safety protocols, after winning the tournament, Brady Face timed her parents. She did wish to eat something delicious in to celebrate.
Brady defeated Coco Gauff in the semifinals before she moved to the finals. After winning against Teichmann, Brady tapped the opponent’s racket in a socially distanced gesture of sportsmanship.
Brady is now in line to be seeded for the U.S. Open.
“It gives me chills knowing that I'll be Top 40 and maybe seeded at the U.S. Open. Yeah. It gives me chills knowing that. It's very big.” 👏
Champions Corner: @jennifurbrady95 spoke with @WTA_insider after her title run –> https://t.co/LfQgl0SkPw pic.twitter.com/pPPVSMxp7P
— wta (@WTA) August 17, 2020
More news on the Tennis front:
Later this week scheduled at Flushing Meadows, New York will be the Cincinnati Masters followed by the U.S. Open, also at Flushing Meadows, from August 31 to September 13.
Kei Nishikori, who was scheduled to play at The Cincinnati Masters, also known as the Western and Southern Open, was tested positive for COVID-19. The 2014 U.S. Open runner up will pull out of the tournament; however, there is no news about his plan to play for the U.S. Open.
Read more: Need Bio-Bubbles In Indian Sports
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