Haddad Maia Ends Brazil's 55-year Grand Slam Wait After Epic Triumph
Zeeshan Mehtab Published June 05, 2023 | 09:33 PM
Beatriz Haddad Maia battled from a set and 3-0 down to defeat Sara Sorribes Tormo in the third longest women's match ever played at Roland Garros to reach a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final on Monday
Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2023 ) :Beatriz Haddad Maia battled from a set and 3-0 down to defeat Sara Sorribes Tormo in the third longest women's match ever played at Roland Garros to reach a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final on Monday.
The 27-year-old Brazilian left-hander came through 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 7-5 against her 132nd-ranked Spanish opponent on Court Suzanne Lenglen after three hours and 51 minutes.
The match was just 16 minutes short of the record four hours and seven minutes it took Virginie Buisson to beat French compatriot Noelle van Lottum in the first round at Roland Garros in 1995.
Haddad Maia is the first Brazilian woman in a Slam quarter-final since seven-time major winner Maria Bueno in 1968 and will face world number seven Ons Jabeur of Tunisia for a place in the semi-finals.
Bueno also made the quarter-final of Wimbledon and semi-final of the US Open that year.
Haddad Maia, ranked 14, claimed victory on a fourth match point.
"I am very happy and very proud that I didn't give up and I think that is why I deserved this victory," she said.
"The key was to play all the points regardless of the score.
"I thought that if I was nervous, my opponent would be too.
And Novak Djokovic says that he is nervous sometimes. If he is, who am I not to be?" Haddad Maia had already saved a match point in her last 32 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova to become the first Brazilian woman in the fourth round in Paris since 1979.
The 26-year-old Sorribes Tormo had made the last 16 after fourth seed and Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina withdrew from their third round clash with illness.
She looked the fresher of the two on Monday as she took the first set and was a double break up in the second before Haddad Maia rallied.
The Brazilian swept the next six games to level the tie and broke in the opening game of the decider.
Sorribes Tormo broke back immediately but couldn't capitalise as Haddad Maia reclaimed the advantage in the fifth game.
In a tense finish, Sorribes Tormo saved three match points in the ninth game and broke serve to level at 5-5.
But Haddad Maia broke straight back and this time held her nerve.
She is no stranger to energy-sapping duels.
In Rome last month, Haddad Maia dropped a three-hour 41-minute quarter-final to Anhelina Kalinina, which is now the second longest women's match of 2023.
Recent Stories
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
More Stories From Sports
-
Victor Boniface: Leverkusen boss Alonso makes you 'up your game'
3 hours ago -
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable victory over UAE
7 hours ago -
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
13 hours ago -
National Hockey camp to be organized for Azlan Shah tournament
14 hours ago -
Islamabad Tennis Club demolished by CDA amid anti-encroachment action at public park: Tarar
16 hours ago -
Shayan, Rashid, Junaid to represent Pakistan in U12 Regional Qualifying Jrs
17 hours ago
-
Olympic Games Paris 2024: How teams qualified
17 hours ago -
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy unveiled in Islamabad
16 hours ago -
Pakistan to tour New Zealand for 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is next March
17 hours ago -
Xavi and Barca remain tied in marriage of convenience
16 hours ago -
Pakistan Master Tenpin Bowling C'ship postponed
16 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
16 hours ago