Beatriz Haddad Maia beat Ons Jabeur by 2 sets to 0 in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 in Abu Dhabithat has broadcast by ESPN on Star+. The 27-year-old Brazilian tennis player overcame the 29-year-old Tunisian in an hour and a half of play in the first meeting between the two after the historic duel at Roland Garros.
Bia Haddad, number 13 in the world, now advances to the semifinals of the tournament held in the United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East, repeating her performance from last year, ensuring the defense of her points and avoiding a sudden drop in the WTA rankings. Now, the Brazilian faces this Saturday (10) the winner of the duel between Daria Kasatkina and Sorana Cirstea.
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In the 1st set, the match started very closely and Bia had a lot of difficulties confirming her first serve. Afterwards, however, the Brazilian loosened up and began to put pressure on Jabeur. Brazil’s No. 1 broke the Tunisian in the African’s second service game. So, Bia Haddad kept the pace well and controlled the world number 6 well until closing the first half 6-3 in around 40 minutes.
In the 2nd set, the Brazilian tennis player managed to break the world number 6 right away. However, Ons reacted and returned the break and grew in the match, which became very balanced again. Bia Haddad managed to control her emotions very well and broke Jabeur 4-4 in a moment of great tension. Then, the Brazilian won the match with her serve after saving 3 break points. 6 to 4 in the final partial.
The duel in Abu Dhabi was the 4th meeting between the two tennis players on the WTA circuit. Last year, Bia beat Jabeur for the first time in the Roland Garros quarterfinals in a 3-set game. Now, the record is tied, with two victories for each side.
Beatriz Haddad Maia is also still in contention in the doubles bracket of the WTA 500 in Abu Dhabi. The Brazilian tennis player is playing together with her compatriot Luisa Stefani for the first time on the circuit since 2019. The Brazilian pair faces Americans Sofia Kenin and Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the tournament’s semifinal this Saturday, with broadcast by ESPN on Star+.
The women from São Paulo, who are the number 2 seeds in the Emirati tournament, are playing together, but in a punctual manner. The idea is to test the relationship between the partnership with the Paris Olympics in mind, which starts at the end of July. The two must participate in the Olympic Games, as well as Laura Pigossi, who is already qualified.
In doubles, Bia Haddad started 2024 playing with American Taylor Townsend and was champion of the WTA 500 in Adelaide, but ended up eliminated in the round of 16 at the Australian Open. Luisa Stefani competed in the Grand Slam with the Dutch Demi Schuurs and fell in the quarterfinals. They are expected to resume their initial partnerships for the following tournaments such as the WTA 1000 in Doha and the WTA 1000 in Dubai.