By Razeen Gutta
Beatriz Haddad Maia became the first ever Brazilian to reach a Roland Garros semi-final in the open era after her win over Tunisian Ons Jabeur.
The world number 14 came back from a set down to win 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-1 — booking her spot in the last four of a Major for the very first time.
Jabeur started remarkably; however her dream of becoming the first African woman to win a Grand Slam singles title will have to wait, as the seventh seed was outplayed in the deciding set.
The pair hugged it out after their gruelling two-and-a-half-hour clash, with Maia calling her opponent “one of the best players in the world” in her post-match interview.
“In the middle of the second set my coach showed me the clock. I had to be patient and keep doing the shots because she is a pretty good player, one of the best in the world,” she said.
“So I am proud of me and my team today because it is not easy playing her. You think you have another shot to play but then her drop shot, winner. I always believed that the match was long.”
Maia will take on world number one Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals on Thursday after Karolina Muchova and Aryna Sabalenka face off in the other last four clash.
Pictured above: Ons Jabeur and Beatriz Haddad Maia
Image source: @thetennisletter
