Milestone Match: Haddad Maia Tops Wozniacki for Maiden US Open QF

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, September 2, 2024

NEW YORK—Beatriz Haddad Maia sparked encompass sound to Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Brazilian followers serenaded Haddad Maia with a sing-song soccer chant of “Ole! Ole! Ole! Bea! Bea!”

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Tuning up her sport within the decisive set, Haddad Maia muted Caroline Wozniacki’s comeback bid 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to grow to be the primary Brazilian lady to succeed in the US Open quarterfinals since Corridor of Famer Maria Bueno 56 years in the past.

The legendary Maria Bueno received 4 U.S. Nationwide Championships between 1959 and 1966, together with a straight-sets victory over American standout Carole Caldwell Graebner within the 1964 ultimate.

It’s a milestone second for each ladies.

The Twenty second-seeded Haddad Maia is the primary South American left-handed lady in Open Period historical past to advance to the final eight in New York in what could nicely have been former world No. 1 Wozniacki’s ultimate US Open match.

“It’s very particular to listen to that—I didn’t know earlier than the match,” Haddad Maia mentioned of changing into the primary Brazilian lady since Maria Bueno to succeed in the quarterfinals. “I simply attempt to work onerous each single day in my life. Me and my workforce and my household labored very onerous for this second.

“It’s a privilege for me to be right here to not solely representing Brazil, however South America [and] the left ones.”

Requested about followers chanting her title afterward, an emotional Haddad Maia shed tears reflecting on that help.

“I’ll attempt to maintain the feelings till the tip of the match,” Haddad Maia mentioned. “It’s very particular to me. Brazil is an enormous nation. I understand how many individuals are cheering for me. I really feel this help. I’m very comfortable to be this one that represents ladies’s sport.”

Two-time US Open finalist Wozniacki fought onerous till the ultimate ball and departed to a rousing ovation of respect from Armstrong followers.

In her fifteenth Flushing Meadows look, the 34-year-old Wozniacki, who started the day because the oldest singles participant standing, transformed simply three of her 14 break-point possibilities. In distinction, Haddad Maia was 5 of eight on break level conversions.

“To begin with Caroline is such a fighter, I respect her quite a bit, her profession is wonderful,” Haddad Maia mentioned. “She reached No. 1, received a variety of titles. I keep in mind once I began to play skilled she was already on prime. I perceive it’s not tv, it’s actual. I’m very comfortable as a result of I respect her and I do know it was a really powerful battle.”

Following this defeat, Wozniacki informed the media whereas she hasn’t made a ultimate resolution on her aggressive future, she’s going to assess how her physique responds within the weeks to return.

“I feel my physique and ensuring that it is 100% and I can keep wholesome I feel is the principle factor,” Wozniacki mentioned. “That is the most important problem at this level. I feel that is the most important factor actually. To have the ability to compete each single day isn’t straightforward, and to really feel good each single day isn’t straightforward.

The proprietor of 30 profession titles, Wozniacki mentioned she believes she will be able to compete with one of the best on this planet for a match, the problem is placing seven wins collectively required to win a Grand Slam.

“I do know that I can compete towards one of the best gamers, I do know I can beat one of the best gamers, however I additionally know that, , to win a event you’ll want to win 5, six, seven matches in a row, and that is the place typically it will get a little bit onerous,” Wozniacki mentioned. “That is one thing that, , my physique has struggled with this yr.

“However on the finish of the day, I am pleased with how I’ve been preventing. I give it my all each single time. That is actually all you are able to do. I am pleased with that.”

Pouncing on mid-court balls, the Brazilian broke thrice in row bursting out to a 5-1 lead. Haddad Maia hammered an ace out extensive ending the 55-minute opener wherein she hit 11 winners to eight for Wozniacki and saved 5 of six break factors.

Within the second set, Wozniacki was enjoying down the road with extra confidence and increasing factors. The Dane drew a double fault to interrupt for 3-1 then held at 30 confirming the break for a 4-1 second-set lead.

Exhibiting her pace and ball-striking, Wozniacki raced proper and smacked an outstanding operating forehand drive down the road for set level. Wozniacki closed the second to drive a ultimate set.

After Wozniacki received the second set, Haddad Maia left the court docket to reset.

That break helped the 28-year-old Brazilian, who got here again refreshed and assertive.

The 2023 Roland Garros semifinalist Haddad Maia received 12 of the primary 14 factors to burst out to a 3-0 lead within the ultimate set.

Reaching again, the left-hander lashed her fifth ace out extensive to wrap a love maintain and lengthen to 3-0.

Selecting on the previous Australian Open champion’s weaker forehand wing, Haddad Maia drew a netted forehand holding for 4-1.

Advantageous internet work helped Haddad Maia maintain her lead. A pair of volleys preceded a forehand drive volley winner as Haddad Maia held agency elevating her Wilson racquet to her field for 5-2.

There was barely an empty seat in Armstrong Stadium as Wozniacki labored via a tense deuce maintain for 3-5 forcing the Brazilian to serve it out.

A Wozniacki forehand clung to the highest of the tape for a second earlier than dribbling over on her facet. Haddad Maia overshot the baseline with a forehand falling right into a 15-30 gap.

A backhand drive down the road helped Haddad Maia get to match level on the two hour, 33-minute mark.

In a stirring 20-shot rally Wozniacki ran down the whole lot then reversed course cracking a backhand winner down the road to attract even at deuce that left Haddad Maia waving at air.

That time left Wozniacki leaning over her racquet sucking in deep gulps of air. Haddad Maia struggled to recuperate too, hitting a double fault to face break level. The Brazilian saved it with a large serve.

A weary Wozniacki missed her trademark two-hander lengthy as Haddad Maia gained a second match level. Wozniacki saved a second match level on an error. Haddad Maia moved ahead saving break level with a smash.

An achieved doubles participant, Haddad Maia once more attacked behind a forehand blocking a volley down the road for a 3rd match level.

Spinning in a gentle, shallow serve, Haddad Maia closed when Wozniacki netted a backhand return.

Wozniacki walked off to a rousing ovation, whereas Haddad Maia strikes right into a Wednesday quarterfinal towards 2023 US Open semifinalist Karolina Muchova.

Muchova received 23 of 28 first-serve factors stopping fifth-seeded Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-3, on Armstrong Stadium Courtroom.

Muchova improved to 6-1 in Grand Slam fourth-round matches advancing to her sixth profession Grand Slam quarterfinal.

World No. 52 Muchova has not dropped a set in wins over American Katie Volynets, four-time main champion Naomi Osaka, Anastasia Potapova and Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist Paolini.

Muchova is 3-0 lifetime vs. Haddad Maia, together with a 6-7, 6-1, 6-4 win in Cincinnati final summer time.

“In opposition to Bea, we performed I feel final yr I suppose as nicely,” Muchova mentioned. “Possibly we performed in Cincinnati very powerful battle, three units. She’s an enormous fighter, lefty.”