It’s been a week to remember for Mayar Sherif in Cluj-Napoca, and now the world No. 119 is just one win away from capping it off with a groundbreaking title.
Already owning the distinction as the first Egyptian woman to win a major main draw match thanks to her effort at this year’s Australian Open, Sherif is now the first player from her country to reach a WTA singles final.
On Saturday at the Winners Open, Sherif reached back to hit an ace when facing set point before taking a crucial opening tie-break over Mihaela Buzarnescu—then ensured her 4-0 lead in the second set didn’t end in complete collapse by breaking the home favorite at love to end the contest, 7-6 (1), 6-4.
“I’m so proud of where I came from, how hard it was to get where I am today being from Egypt,” she said on-court afterwards. “I could not imagine being here one day. It’s very emotional.
“It’s so nice to always do something first.”