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Roland Garros: Beatriz Haddad Maia challenges top favorite Iga Swiatek in the semifinals

While Iga Swiatek defeated the American Coco Gauff in two sets in the quarter-finals of Roland Garros, Beatriz Haddad Maia won an impressive three-set win over the Tunisian Ons Jabeur .

by SID/red.
last edit: Jun 07, 2023, 03:50 pm

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Beatriz Haddad Maia continues to make history at the French Open 2023 - now it's against Iga Swiatek

Next demonstration of strength: The Polish world number one Iga Swiatek won the new edition of last year's final against the American Coco Gauff and is in the semi-finals of the French Open. In the end, the defending champion got serious and won 6:4, 6:2 after a long, balanced game at a high level.

"It wasn't easy, especially the first set was really tight. Quarterfinals are sometimes the hardest matches," said Swiatek, who is still aiming for her fourth Grand Slam title. The top favorite, who triumphed in Roland Garros in 2020 and 2022, will now meet Beatriz Haddad Maia in the semifinals on Thursday.

Haddad Maia writes Grand Slam history for her country

Beatriz Haddad Maia continues to write her very own surprising success story in Paris and has reached a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time in her career. She is the first Brazilian to achieve this feat in 55 years. The 27-year-old beat Tunisian Ons Jabeur after a convincing performance 3: 6, 7: 6 (5), 6: 1.

Previously, Haddad Maia, who beat Tatjana Maria in round one, had never progressed past the second round at a major. In the round of 16, she defeated Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo after almost four hours of play in the third longest women's match at the clay court Grand Slam since records began in 1968. Against Jabeur, the strength was enough for a comeback.

"I had a rest day after the fourth round and my great team worked intensively on my physique," explained Haddad Maia. Jabeur, on the other hand, missed her third semi-final entry at a Grand Slam. In Wimbledon and New York she even made it to the finals last year, but failed there.

Here is the individual tableau of the ladies from Paris.

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by SID/red.

Wednesday
Jun 07, 2023, 03:39 pm
last edit: Jun 07, 2023, 03:50 pm