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 (born June 27, 1966) is a former professional tennis player from Argentina. She was a very talented player who competed in many big tournaments around the world. Mercedes won three singles titles and an amazing 22 doubles titles on the WTA Tour. Her highest ranking in singles was world No. 28 in April 1991.
Mercedes Paz had some exciting wins during her career. At the 1990 French Open, she surprised everyone by beating the defending champion, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario. Later that same year, she beat Sánchez Vicario again at a tournament in Worcester.
Five years earlier, in 1985, Mercedes made history at the Brazil Open. She defeated the top-seeded player, Gabriela Sabatini, in the semifinals. Then, she went on to win the title by beating Laura Arraya. This made Mercedes Paz the first Argentinian woman to win a major WTA event! She also had a big win against another top player, Jana Novotná, in 1989.
Contents
Singles Titles and Achievements
Mercedes Paz won three singles titles during her career. Her first big win was at the São Paulo Open in Brazil in March 1985. She played on clay courts, which are often red and made of crushed brick.
Her other singles victories include:
- The Guarujá Cup in Brazil in November 1988.
- The tournament in Strasbourg, France, in May 1990.
She also reached the finals three other times, showing her consistent performance. Her best results at the major Grand Slam tournaments were reaching the fourth round at the French Open in both 1986 and 1990.
Doubles Success
Mercedes Paz was especially strong in doubles, winning 22 titles! She often teamed up with other great players.
Some of her notable doubles wins include:
- Her first doubles title was at the Japan Open in October 1984.
- She won several titles with fellow Argentinian star Gabriela Sabatini, including the São Paulo Open and the Virginia Slims of New York in 1985.
- Mercedes also had great success with Lori McNeil, winning the Puerto Rico Open and the Argentine Open in 1986.
- She won many titles with Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in 1990, including the Amelia Island Championships, the Tampa Open, and the Barcelona Open.
- Her last doubles title was at the Bol Open in Croatia in April 1995.
Mercedes reached the semifinals of the French Open and US Open in doubles in 1991, and the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 1990. She was a strong competitor in doubles throughout her career.
ITF Circuit Highlights
Before and during her time on the main WTA Tour, Mercedes Paz also played in tournaments on the ITF Circuit. These events helped her gain experience and improve her game.
Singles on the ITF Circuit
Mercedes won two singles titles on the ITF Circuit:
- In March 1985, she won in Curitiba, Brazil.
- In April 1985, she won in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
She also reached the finals three times in other ITF singles events.
Doubles on the ITF Circuit
Mercedes was very successful in doubles on the ITF Circuit, winning nine titles.
- Her first ITF doubles win was in Lyon, France, in June 1984.
- She won several titles with Laura Montalvo in Argentina, including in La Plata (1993), Buenos Aires (1994), and Tucumán (1998).
- Her last ITF doubles title was in Tucumán, Argentina, in September 1998, which was a great way to end her career.
Mercedes Paz retired from professional tennis in 1998, leaving behind a fantastic record of wins and achievements.
See also
In Spanish: Mercedes Paz para niños
