"Like a marathon, it's not a 100 meters race": Haddad Maia pounces as Jabeur wilts to become first Brazilian woman into Open Era semi-final

More history was made at Roland Garros (French Open) as Beatriz Haddad Maia upset seventh seed Ons Jabeur to reach the semifinals, becoming the first Brazilian woman to reach that stage in Paris in the Open Era.

Haddad Maia rallied from a set down to record a 3-6 7-6(5) 6-1 victory, securing her spot in the final 4 in 2 hours and 29 minutes. The only other Brazilian woman to reach the last four of a Grand Slam in the Open Era was seven-time major champion Maria Bueno at the 1968 US Open.

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"I was prepared for the game," Haddad Maia said after her win. "I knew that it would be very hard. It's not easy to be a set down against Jabeur, and she was playing well. So when the match was done, I just looked to my team and said, 'We made it.'"

The 14th seed credited her patience and grit as factors that enabled her to secure the victory, and will face World No.1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals.

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As I said yesterday, I think a tennis match is like a marathon, it's not a 100 meters race," Haddad Maia said. "I think one of my qualities is that I wait and I'm very patient and I never give up, so I wait for the moment because I know that my level is high. So even if I'm not playing well or even if I'm missing a few shots one moment, the tennis will appear, and I'll have my opportunity to go for it."

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