Resilient Haddad Maia overcomes Fernandez in left-handed duel at San Diego Open

Wednesday, 13 September 2023 at 06:47

Beatriz Haddad Maia emerged victorious in a lefty battle against Leylah Fernandez with a score of 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, securing her spot in the second round of the San Diego Open.

It's a rare occurrence to witness a match between two left-handed players on the WTA tour, but in the marquee night match, world No. 20 Beatriz Haddad Maia clashed with former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. The Canadian held a 2-1 advantage in their head-to-head encounters, with their most recent clash occurring just a month ago at the Montreal Open (Fernandez won 7-5, 5-7, 6-3).

Both players had disappointing outings at Flushing Meadows, with Fernandez bowing out in the first round against Ekaterina Aleksandrova and Haddad Maia exiting in the second round at the hands of Taylor Townsend.

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Right from the start, world No. 74 Fernandez targeted Haddad Maia's backhand and secured an early break in the third game. However, Haddad Maia couldn't consolidate the break and also lost her service.

Fernandez took a 3-2 lead with her serve, but a strong surge from Haddad Maia saw her win five consecutive games, comfortably sealing the first set 6-2 and taking an early lead in the second.

This time, it was Fernandez who broke first, but just like in the first set, she quickly surrendered her advantage. With both players exchanging breaks, Haddad Maia had a match point at 5-4 on Fernandez's serve, but her opponent remarkably saved it and won the next two games to take the set 7-5.

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In the deciding set, the Brazilian secured an early break in the fourth game and then survived a challenging service game to build a 4-1 lead. With a late break, she closed out the set and clinched the victory 6-3, 5-7, 6-2.

In the second round, Haddad Maia will face the young Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, with whom she has no previous encounters. The 21-year-old, currently ranked world No. 45, advanced by defeating Magda Linette 6-2, 7-6(5).

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Beatriz Haddad Maia is fighting hard tonight. Tons of support for both her & Leylah Fernandez. But as always, the Brazilian crowd showed up for Bia. 💚💛💙

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4:38 AM · Sep 13, 2023

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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