Author: Barkha Roy
In an extraordinary display of skill and perseverance, Beatriz Haddad Maia, the 14th seed, etched her name in the history of Brazilian tennis. The talented athlete secured her place as the first Brazilian woman in more than five decades to reach the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament. This remarkable achievement came after an intense battle against Sara Sorribes Tormo, lasting an impressive 3 hours and 51 minutes, making it the longest match at tour level in 2023.
In a thrilling match, Beatriz Haddad Maia showed her unwavering determination, emerging victorious with a hard-fought 6-7(3), 6-3, 7-5 scoreline. The thrilling match showed the exceptional skill and resilience of both athletes, captivating the spectators at Roland Garros.
Meanwhile, another rising star, Casper Ruud, demonstrated his prowess on the court by advancing to his third quarter-final. In a very tight fourth round match against Nicolas Jarry, Ruud showed his ability to handle pressure situations. Throughout the match, Ruud saved an impressive 14 of 17 break points to secure a deserved 7-6(3), 7-5, 7-5 victory.
In the evening session at Roland Garros, the spotlight was on Alexander Zverev, who once again gave a thrilling performance under the lights. After closing the curtains on the Philippe-Chatrier court and his opponents in his last two matches, Zverev proved to be a force to be reckoned with. In a thrilling three-set match against Grigor Dimitrov, Zverev showed his resilience, fighting back from a break down in the second set and overcoming a 3-0 deficit in the third. With a final score of 6-1, 6-4 and 6-3, Zverev secured his victory, leaving the spectators in awe of his exceptional skills.
Holger Rune also provided fans with an unforgettable spectacle when he triumphed in a five-set thriller against Francisco Cerundolo. Despite facing physical challenges along the way, the Danish sixth seed showed unwavering determination and resilience. The match, which lasted three hours and 59 minutes, showed Rune’s mental strength as he won a thrilling victory in the deciding set with a score of 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) on the Suzanne-Lenglen court.
Rune’s ability to bounce back from disappointment was truly remarkable, as he had failed to serve for the match at 5-4 in the deciding set. However, with unwavering determination and an exceptional display in the match tie-break, Rune sealed his triumph, leaving the spectators captivated by his courageous performance.
Beatriz Haddad Maia’s incredible achievement of reaching the quarter-finals of a major tournament puts her in rare company among Brazilian tennis players. The only other Brazilian woman to achieve this feat during the Open Era was the legendary Maria Bueno, who did it in 1968. During that memorable season, Bueno reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon before advancing to the semi-finals at the US Open. It’s worth noting that Bueno’s impressive record of seven Grand Slam titles was won before the Open Era, as was her remarkable performance at Roland Garros in 1964, where she narrowly lost to Margaret Court in the final.
It’s a significant milestone for Haddad Maia to follow in the footsteps of such a revered figure in the history of Brazilian tennis. Maria Bueno’s lasting legacy continues to inspire and serve as a reminder of the extraordinary talent that emerged from Brazil into the world of tennis. Haddad Maia’s achievement in reaching the quarter-finals reflects not only her dedication and personal skill, but also the promising future of Brazilian tennis on the international stage.