Tennis-Haddad Maia hoping to inspire next generation of Brazilian tennis players

FILE PHOTO: Aug 13, 2022; Toronto, ON, Canada; Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) watches her return to Karolina Pliskova (not pictured) in the semi-finals of the National Bank Open at Sobeys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia said she was hoping to inspire the soccer-mad country's youth into taking up tennis after breaking into the top 20 of the women's world rankings.

Haddad Maia's dream run in the Canadian Open came to an end on Sunday as she was beaten 6-3 2-6 6-3 by Simona Halep in the final, but her performances in Toronto have propelled her up the rankings into 16th place.