There is still a chance that the 2024 US Open title will come to Brazil.
No.22 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia moved into her first US Open quarterfinal with a gritty 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki in Louis Armstrong Stadium on Monday.
US Open: Scores | Draw | Order of play
Once again, Haddad Maia sets a new standard for Brazilian women's tennis this century. She is the first Brazilian woman to reach the US Open women's singles quarterfinals since Maria Bueno in 1968. (Gustavo Kuerten made US Open men's singles quarterfinals in 1999 and 2001.)
"It's very nice to see a lot of people, especially Brazilians cheering for me and following me during the whole year," Haddad Maia said. "I think that gives me the motivation to keep going also, because I know there is a lot of girls and boys who can get inspired, and they can also dream and see me on these big courts and see that if I'm there, they also can do it.
"I think it's very special to be this person, and I will try to bring as [much] happiness as I can for everyone."
Beatriz Haddad Maia is emotional feeling the love in New York and from 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/I2X8CGoZSA
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2024
Grinding out wins: In their Labor Day clash, Haddad Maia needed a grueling 2 hours and 41 minutes to outlast Wozniacki, the US Open runner-up in 2009 and 2014.
"I respect a lot Caroline because of everything she reached, being No.1 in the world, a lot of titles," Haddad Maia said. "She's a very fighter player, so it's not easy to play against her."
Haddad Maia had never advanced beyond the second round at the US Open before this year, but the Brazilian No.1 is making up for it this time around in her fourth main-draw appearance in New York.
Left-handed Haddad Maia has also won eight of her last nine matches, following a run to last week's Cleveland final.
Match moments: Haddad Maia started with a commanding advantage on Monday, using her heavy shots to lead by a set and a break at 6-2, 1-0. However, Wozniacki began to find her footing in the second set, ramping up the aggression and leveling the match.
Haddad Maia turned things around at the beginning of the final set, taking charge with her lefty forehand and dropping only one point on serve through 4-1. But once again, Wozniacki continued to fight, grinding out rallies to stay within touching distance through 5-3.
Serving for the match, Haddad Maia battled through a tense, back-and-forth 14-point game, missing out on two match points and fending off two break points. A sturdy volley set up the Brazilian’s third match point, and she finally sealed victory after Wozniacki misfired on a service return.
"The first set was pretty good from my side, and then, well, she improved a little bit," Haddad Maia said. "I had my ups-and-downs during the second set, and I tried to understand what was going on and be disciplined, and I'm very happy that I could make this win."
Muchova awaits: Haddad Maia will try to make her second Grand Slam semifinal when she takes on Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic on Wednesday. Haddad Maia reached the Roland Garros semifinals last year, a result which propelled her to a career-high ranking of World No.10.
"For sure, the semifinal in the French Open helps to believe, to know that, OK, I already passed through this moment," Haddad Maia said. "It's not easy for the tennis players. We know how [much] pressure we feel every single match. Doesn't matter if it's quarterfinals or first round.
"I think not only Roland Garros semifinals but also the other matches that I had in Grand Slams, especially tough loss, matches that I lost. I felt a lot of pain right after, and I think I learned a lot from these moments. I feel that I have this different experience, and I feel ready for the next quarterfinal."
Haddad Maia will have her hands full with Muchova, another former Top 10 player and a US Open semifinalist last year. The Brazilian has lost all three of their previous meetings, most recently a three-setter on the hard courts of WTA 1000 Cincinnati last summer.
"Muchova is a great player," Haddad Maia said. "She's one of the best players in the world. She moves well, she has good serve, good returns. I know it's going to be a tough battle. Last match we had was a pretty good one also from both sides. It was defined little details."