Kaitlin Quevedo completed a rapid rise on Monday, recovering from a set behind to beat Nadia Podoroska 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 and claim the 2026 SP Open title in Sao Paulo.
Quevedo captures first WTA Tour crown
The 20-year-old secured her first WTA Tour title in only her eighth main-draw appearance, prevailing over another first-time finalist in a championship match that lasted 2 hours and 8 minutes.
The final had been postponed and was played on Monday, with Quevedo producing the stronger finish after Podoroska made the early running. The victory arrived on the same day Quevedo moved to a career-best ranking of world No. 90.
- Final: Kaitlin Quevedo d. Nadia Podoroska 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
- Tournament: 2026 SP Open, Sao Paulo
- Match duration: 2 hours, 8 minutes
- Milestone: Quevedo’s first WTA Tour singles title
- Ranking: career-high No. 90
A turnaround from a set down
Podoroska held the advantage through much of the opening stages and took the first set, but Quevedo found a response when the final appeared to be slipping away in the second.
After falling behind by a break in that set, Quevedo broke back and then claimed the decisive break in the last game to level the match. She carried that momentum decisively into the third set.
Quevedo swept through the opening five games of the decider, leaving Podoroska with too much ground to recover. She finished the contest with another break when Podoroska sent a forehand beyond the baseline.
From Auckland debut to Sao Paulo champion
Quevedo had made her WTA Tour main-draw debut at the Auckland Open in January. Eight months later, she has turned that first tour-level experience into a trophy in Sao Paulo and a place inside the world’s top 100.
For Podoroska, the defeat came in her first WTA Tour final. Quevedo, meanwhile, leaves the Brazilian draw with the biggest title of her young career and a new personal ranking high.
