Sherif Wins Second Career Title in lasi

Mayar Sherif had to wait an extra 24 hours, but in the end she emerged as the champion at the UniCredit Iasi Open in Romania. 

Sherif defeated Badosa, who was forced to retire late in the second set, 6-4, 4-0 RET. to claim her second career title, in a final that had to be postponed 24 hours due to rain.

Sherif has now won ten consecutive matches, after winning the Contrexeville 125k event last week. 

“What started as the worst year of my career I think will end up as one of the best,” Sherif told her team after the final. “We’ve been through so much together this year and I’m so proud of us, what we’ve become this year.” 

Sherif rises from No.55 with her title, from No.97 before the streak started.

The 30-year-old from Cairo, her left leg taped from just above her ankle to her mid-thigh, survived a seesaw opening set, emerging from a segment that featured five consecutive breaks with a 4-3 lead. She won 12 of the final 17 points of the opening set and continued to push as Badosa continued to struggle. 

Badosa had break points in both of her return games in set two, but could not convert. She had her right thigh taped before the match, but didn’t take a medical timeout during the final. She retired abruptly after the fourth game of set two, much to Sherif’s surprise. 

“First of all I want to congratulate Mayar, she’s a great fighter – ten wins in a row it’s not easy. I know you are a really hard worker and I really respect that,” Badosa told Sherif. 

“I have to say I hate this moment right now,” Badosa said. “I hate losing in finals, and I’m really sorry I had to do it in this way, but I couldn’t keep up with my body.”