Mercedes Paz facts for kids
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Paz at the 2021 Billie Jean King Cup play-offs
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| Country (sports) |  Argentina |
|---|---|
| Residence | Tucumán, Argentina |
| Born | 27 June 1966 Tucumán |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Turned pro | 1984 |
| Retired | 1998 |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Prize money | $1,154,319 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 280–279 (50.09%) |
| Career titles | 3 |
| Highest ranking | No. 28 (29 April 1991) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | 1R (1991, 1992, 1995) |
| French Open | 4R (1986, 1990) |
| Wimbledon | 2R (1994, 1996) |
| US Open | 2R (1985, 1987, 1988) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 385–245 (61.11%) |
| Career titles | 22 |
| Highest ranking | No. 12 (24 September 1990) |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | 3R (1991, 1992) |
| French Open | SF (1991) |
| Wimbledon | QF (1990) |
| US Open | SF (1991) |
Mercedes María Paz is a former professional tennis player from Argentina. She was born on June 27, 1966. Mercedes Paz became a professional player in 1984 and retired in 1998. She was known for her right-handed play, using a one-handed backhand.
Paz achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 28 in singles in April 1991. She won three singles titles on the WTA Tour, which is the main professional tennis circuit for women. She also had great success in doubles, winning 22 doubles titles. Her highest doubles ranking was No. 12 in September 1990.
Contents
Early Career and Big Wins
Mercedes Paz quickly made a name for herself in the tennis world. In 1985, she won her first major WTA event. This happened at the Brazil Open, where she defeated top-seeded Gabriela Sabatini in the semifinals. She then went on to win the final against Laura Arraya. This made her the first Argentinian woman to win such a big WTA tournament.
Notable Matches
Paz was known for surprising some of the top players.
- In 1990, at the French Open, she unexpectedly beat the defending champion, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, in the second round.
- Later that same year, she defeated Sánchez Vicario again at the Virginia Slims of Worcester tournament.
- She also had a big win against Jana Novotná. In 1989, Paz beat Novotná in three sets to reach the semifinals of the Belgian Ladies Open. She had also beaten Novotná the year before at the 1988 Hilton Head tournament.
Grand Slam Performance
The Grand Slams are the four biggest tennis tournaments in the world. Mercedes Paz competed in all of them.
- At the French Open, which is played on clay courts, she reached the fourth round twice. This happened in 1986 and again in 1990.
- In doubles, she reached the semifinals of the French Open in 1991 and the US Open in 1991.
- She also made it to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in doubles in 1990.
WTA Tour Titles
Mercedes Paz had a successful career, especially in doubles. She won a total of 3 singles titles and 22 doubles titles on the WTA Tour. She also reached the finals in singles 3 times and in doubles 18 times, finishing as the runner-up.
Singles Titles (3)
- In March 1985, she won the São Paulo Open in Brazil.
- In November 1988, she won the Guarujá Cup, also in Brazil.
- In May 1990, she won the tournament in Strasbourg, France.
Doubles Titles (22)
Paz won many doubles titles with different partners. Some of her notable doubles victories include:
- Winning the Japan Open in 1984.
- Winning the São Paulo Open and the Virginia Slims of Central New York in 1985 with fellow Argentinian Gabriela Sabatini.
- Winning the Family Circle Cup in 1987.
- Winning the Belgian Open twice, in 1989 and 1990.
- Winning the Amelia Island Championships, Tampa Open, and Barcelona Open in 1990 with Arantxa Sánchez Vicario.
- Her last WTA doubles title was in April 1995 at the Bol Open in Croatia.
ITF Circuit Success
Before and during her WTA career, Mercedes Paz also played on the ITF Circuit. These are professional tournaments that are a step below the main WTA Tour. She had good results there too.
ITF Singles (2 titles, 3 runner-ups)
- She won two singles titles on the ITF Circuit.
- She was also a runner-up three times.
ITF Doubles (9 titles, 3 runner-ups)
- Paz won nine doubles titles on the ITF Circuit.
- She was a runner-up three times in ITF doubles events. Her last ITF doubles title was in September 1998 in Tucumán, Argentina.
See also
In Spanish: Mercedes Paz para niños
