NEW DELHI: Beatriz Haddad Maia, the Brazilian left-hander, showcased her fighting spirit by overcoming a set and 3-0 deficit in an intense three-hour and 51-minute match against Sara Sorribes Tormo at the French Open. This victory propelled Haddad Maia to her first-ever Grand Slam quarter-final.
In a gruelling battle on Court Suzanne Lenglen, Haddad Maia emerged victorious with a 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 7-5 scoreline against her Spanish opponent, ranked 132nd in the world. This match stands as the longest women's match in this year's French Open.
Haddad Maia's achievement holds significance for Brazilian tennis, as she becomes the first Brazilian woman to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final since Maria Bueno accomplished the feat in 1968.
Her next challenge comes in the form of Ons Jabeur, the world number seven from Tunisia, as they compete for a spot in the semi-finals.
Ranked 14th in the world, Haddad Maia sealed the victory on her fourth match point. This triumph followed her remarkable comeback in the previous round against Ekaterina Alexandrova, where she saved a match point to become the first Brazilian woman since 1979 to reach the fourth round in Paris.
Sorribes Tormo, at 26 years old, had advanced to the last 16 after Elena Rybakina's withdrawal due to illness. Despite holding the advantage early in the match, including a double break in the second set, she couldn't sustain her momentum as Haddad Maia rallied back.
In an exhilarating finish, Sorribes Tormo saved three match points in the ninth game of the final set and managed to break serve to level at 5-5. However, Haddad Maia displayed composure, breaking back immediately and holding her nerve to secure the victory.
