“I feel special to be…,” Brazilian WTA icon Beatriz Maia proceeds to the second round at Abu Dhabi as she proudly wears her patriotism on the back

The sixth-seed returned to winning ways after a tough start to the season as she continues to be the flagbearer of Brazilian tennis.

“I feel special to be…,” Brazilian WTA icon Beatriz Maia proceeds to the second round at Abu Dhabi as she proudly wears her patriotism on the back

Beatriz Haddad Maia (Credits: Tennis.com)

World No. 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia has made a good start to her campaign at the 2024 Mubadala Open. The WTA-500 event is being played in Abu Dhabi. The Brazilian was up against Xiyu Wang in the first round and went on to beat the Chinese 6-2, 7-6(4).

Maia was one of the four semi-finalists last year losing to eventual champ Belinda Bencic. She has been a crowd favorite at various places and Abu Dhabi is one of them. The 27-year-old had a close encounter against Wang narrowly beating her. But it was nevertheless a good start for her campaign.

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She was 3-3 coming into the match against Wang. She lost to Iga Swiatek in the United Cup as Brazil crashed out in the group stages itself after losing both their matches. Maia then played at the Adelaide Open but lost in the first round to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

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At the 2024 Australian Open, she lost in the third round losing to Maria Timofeeva in straight-sets. Desperate for a win, she fought her way to the second round in Abu Dhabi. As expected, she had a lot of support in the stands and she was courteous enough to acknowledge it following her win. 

Brazilians are everywhere. I always say that. It’s amazing to represent them even far away from home. We are a lot of weeks far away. I feel special to be a woman from South America and representing all of them. It’s a privilege for me.
said Maia during her on-court interview.

Beatriz Haddad Maia now has to wait for her next opponent

Following the win, Maia now has to wait till tomorrow to know who will be her second-round opponent. Placed in the bottom half of the draw, the sixth seed will now take on the winner from the clash between Magda Linette and Alexandra Eala.

Beatriz Haddad Maia
Beatriz Haddad Maia (Image via Bola Amarela)

Elsewhere, Emma Raducanu defeated Marie Bouzkova in the first round to book a blockbuster clash in the second round. The Briton will now take on second-seeded Ons Jabeur. The Tunisian had a bye in the first round. Provided Maia wins her second-round clash, she will have to either face Jabeur or Raducanu in the third round.

Linette has not been in good form lately. As for Eala, the 18-year-old is ranked 187th and is in the main-draw due to a wildcard. She will make her season debut on the WTA Tour with her match against Linette. This gives Maia a good chance to capitalize and make a good run in Abu Dhabi.

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