Beatriz Haddad Maia, a 27-year-old Brazilian tennis player, defeated the Italian Sara Errani, former number 5 in the world, by 2 sets to 0 in the 2nd round of the Madrid Opena combined men’s and women’s tennis tournament that has broadcast by ESPN on Star+.
The São Paulo native, who occupies 14th position in the WTA rankings, managed to impose her aggressive style of play and beat her 36-year-old rival with scores of 6/3 and 6/2 in just over an hour and 15 minutes of match in her debut. in the first WTA 1000 clay tournament. The Brazilian tennis player won a bye (rest) in the 1st round for being the number 11 seed in the competition.
Bia Haddad’s triumph over Errani was the first victory for Brazil’s No. 1 seed in the main draw of the Spanish tournament. The left-hander is competing in the Madrid main draw for the third time, and last year she ended up being surprised by Russian Mirra Andreeva, then 15 years old, in her debut.
The Brazilian started the game in a devastating way and took a 5-0 lead in the first half. Errani, currently 100th in the world, threatened a reaction and broke Bia Haddad when serving for the set, reducing the difference to 5 to 3. However, in her second opportunity to close the partial, Beatriz did not waste and achieved the victory. 6 to 3.
In the 2nd set, the match became more balanced until at 2-2, Bia managed to break Sara in the most competitive game of the partial. Then, the Brazilian regained control of the match and closed the score with 6-2 to the delight of the Brazilian fans who were watching around the court.
With the victory, Beatriz Haddad Maia now faces the American Emma Navarro, number 23 in the world, in the 3rd round of the Madrid Open in a match, which will be broadcast on ESPN on Star+, scheduled for Saturday (27).
Bia will try to overcome an uncomfortable milestone. The world No. 14 has not won two consecutive matches in the same tournament since the beginning of February, when she reached the semifinals of the WTA 500 in Abu Dhabi.
