Roland Garros 2023: Beatriz Haddad Maia stuns Ons Jabeur to reach maiden Grand Slam semifinal

Beatriz Haddad Maia

TENNIS Roland Garros 2023: Beatriz Haddad Maia stuns Ons Jabeur to reach maiden Grand Slam semifinal

Funmilayo Fameso 15:10 - 07.06.2023

Beatriz Haddad Maia made history in her quarterfinal match with Tunisian Ons Jabeur, becoming the first Brazilian to make a Grand Slam semifinal since 1968.

Beatriz Haddad Maia's dream run at the Roland Garros continued after defeating Ons Jabeur 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-1 to make her first Grand Slam semifinal.

It's a vital win for the Brazilian, who had never gone beyond the second round at a Grand Slam, and it's her third consecutive match she recovered from a set down to become the eventual winner.

Also, she is the first player in the Open Era to reach the semifinals at the Roland Garros after having won the Round of 32, Round of 16, and quarterfinals, having lost the opening set.

Beatriz Haddad Maia coming back from a set down in her last two matches

Another notable stat is that Haddad Maia is the second Brazilian female player in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam semifinal, after Maria Bueno at the 1968 US Open, and the first Brazilian male or female to become a Slam semifinalist since Gustavo Kuerten at the 2001 Roland Garros.

Beatriz Haddad Maia reaches first Grand Slam semifinal after defeating Ons Jabeur at Roland Garros
Beatriz Haddad Maia

Only Elena Likhovtseva in 2005 (64) and Tamara Zidansek in 2021 (63) have dropped more games than Haddad Maia (58) to secure the women's singles semifinal spot at the Roland Garros in the Open Era.

Tough loss and a hard one to take for Jabeur, who had the match was on her racket but dropped off, lost confidence, and ultimately lost the match.

Ons Jabeur became the first African place to make Roland Garros quarterfinal

Speaking after the match, Haddad Maia thanked her Brazillian fans that came out to support her.

“First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who came to support me. Especially the Brazilians.”

She also had some kind words to say of Jabeur.

“As I said yesterday, she’s a very nice person. This means a lot for us as women tennis players. She represents us, not only on the court but also off the court. She’s a really nice girl. I know her since juniors.”

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