It’s time for the final of the 2024 WTA Korea Open in Seoul. While both Daria Kasatkina and Beatriz Haddad Maia had to play twice on Saturday, they handled their business quickly. In fact, neither of the two finalists has dropped a set so far this week. Who do you think will prevail in this battle of two in-form players?
WTA Seoul Final Prediction
Daria Kasatkina vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Head-to-head: Haddad Maia 2-1
Daria Kasatkina was the top seed in Seoul and so far she’s managed to deliver exactly what was expected of her. She was very clean against Hailey Baptiste and World No. 16 Diana Shnaider, also getting a retirement win over Emma Raducanu. The WTA 500 category has been especially successful for her this year with this being her fifth final already. She won Eastbourne and finished runner-up in Adelaide, Abu Dhabi, and Charleston. Taking the Seoul title would help her return to the Top 10.
While there were parts of this season where Beatriz Haddad Maia’s form was simply mediocre, the Brazilian caught a second wind around the US Open swing. First she made the final in Cleveland and then followed it up with a strong display at the US Open, going out to Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals. In Seoul she’s been as dominant as Kasatkina, not dropping a set in the three matches she’s played so far. After beating Ajla Tomljanovic, she went on to take down both Kudermetova sisters, Polina and Veronika.
Haddad Maia leads the head-to-head 2-1, but it was Kasatkina who won their only 2024 meeting in the Abu Dhabi semifinals. That was a battle, featuring an over 80-minute long deciding set. The Brazilian’s wins came last year in Doha and at the WTA Elite Trophy (both in straight sets). It’s fair to say that Haddad Maia might have the stronger ceiling and when she’s hitting with confidence, she’s got what it takes to keep Kasatkina on the back foot. Her form looks good enough right now and she might be the slightest of favorites here.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
