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The hard court, outdoor competition in
Lexington, Kentucky, marked the WTA's first tournament in the
United States since the coronavirus outbreak forced almost all
sport into a long break earlier this year.
In the first set, a defensive effort saw Brady save all four
break points faced before going on the attack in the second set,
winning more than 80% of her first serve points in front of the
empty stands.
"Before I walked onto the court I was like, 'Okay, I have to
believe in myself that I can win this,' otherwise it doesn't
really make sense for me to walk out there," said Brady, who did
not drop a set the entire tournament.
Brady, who defeated Coco Gauff in straight sets in the
semifinal, thrust her hands into the sky after firing off a
forehand winner to clinch the match and walked to the net to tap
her opponent's racket in a socially distanced gesture of
sportsmanship.
"Everything I've imagined, it's definitely reality," said Brady,
who Facetimed her parents after the win.
With limited options to celebrate under health and safety
protocols, Brady said she would celebrate the win by ordering in
"something delicious" to eat.
"And I'm buying for anybody else who's here," she added.
The Cincinnati Masters is scheduled to be played at Flushing
Meadows, New York from later this week, followed by the U.S.
Open, also at its usual Flushing Meadows home, from Aug. 31 to
Sept. 13.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
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