Beatriz Haddad Maia, the No. 8 seed, and No. 1 seed Barbora Krejcikova both won their Huafa Technology WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai opening matches in straight sets to take the lead in their respective groups.
In the Azalea Group, Krejcikova defeated No. 11 seed Magda Linette 6-2, 6-4 after falling behind 3-0 in the second set. Haddad Maia defeated No. 2 seed Madison Keys in the Camellia Group earlier by scores of 6-4, 6-4.
Krejcikova will play No. 6 seed Daria Kasatkina on Wednesday in an attempt to advance to the semifinals, while Keys will take on No. 9 seed Caroline Garcia in an effort to maintain her aspirations. Action in the Orchid Group will begin with No. 7 seed Zheng Qinwen taking on No. 10 seed Donna Vekic.
How Linette was defeated by Krejcikova
Although Krejcikova won in straight sets, improving her lifetime record against the Pole to 3-0, the match was closer than the score indicates.
In the first set, the former Roland Garros champion had to survive three three-deuce battles on serve, and in the second set, she had a chance to lose a 4-0 double break. She also had trouble serving consistently, with a total of nine double errors.
But when she needed to, Krejcikova was able to locate her most effective deliveries and precise wins. In the opening set, she faced six break points, and ultimately, she faced ten, saving nine of them. Linette held a point to go up 4-0 and two to go up 4-1 in the second set. The Czech snatched back the initiative and reeled Linette in, winning six of the final seven games after denying her in those two crucial matches.
After a season marred by injuries, Krejcikova has seen a fall comeback, highlighted by a sixth Hologic WTA Tour victory in San Diego and a runner-up finish in Zhengzhou two weeks ago.
![Krejcikova and Haddad Maia Shine Bright in Zhuhai Openers 2 Haddad Maia RR Fred Lee Getty](https://i0.wp.com/photoresources.wtatennis.com/photo-resources/2023/10/24/ea32ef2c-4ee4-47ab-9ef5-78912025b57a/Haddad-Maia-RR-Fred-Lee-Getty.jpg?resize=451%2C268&ssl=1)
How Haddad Maia defeated Keys
Haddad Maia arrived in Zhuhai hoping for a change in her form, and her strong performance in the opening match could increase her prospects.
Since withdrawing due to a back injury against Elena Rybakina in the Wimbledon fourth round, the Brazilian had only triumphed in five matches. She needed stitches in both hands after a strange hotel shower mishap in Guadalajara, and she only managed to win one match out of her subsequent three competitions.
However, against Keys, Haddad Maia was dependable in crucial situations, saving six of the seven break points she encountered. She jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead in the first set, but Keys had a strong spell of net play to tie it up at 4-4. Haddad Maia, however, maintained his position at the conclusion of both sets, tying them together with a break to love.
Serving at 4-5 in the first set, Keys was defeated by a string of errant forehands; at the same point in the second, Haddad Maia converted her first match point with a successful return. Since defeating Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros in June, the result marked her first Top 20 victory.
Keys has played in Zhuhai three times, giving him the most experience of any player in this year’s field. The American has only advanced past the round-robin stage once, in 2018, and even then, a knee ailment forced her to retire before the semifinals.