The 2024 Madrid Open got off to a flying start, as the women are also getting into some exciting matches. With the quarterfinals underway, World No. 1 Iga Swiatek was up against Beatriz Haddad-Maia in a thriller that got everyone on the edge of their seats.
Both the experienced players were neck-to-neck and had kept.on saving their games while making valiant efforts to break. 7 games into the first set, Swiatek was on the verge of breaking the Brazilian, who held her ground with a phenomenal shot.
Haddad-Maiai did not allow the rally to go longer and tricked the Pole into hitting a cross-court forehand which landed on the line and far away from her opponent. The crowd erupted with an enormous roar as the Brazilian managed to get one step closer to saving a set.
Enjoy Bia's signature cross-court forehand winner ️#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/vw9Ybb3T8M
— wta (@WTA) April 30, 2024
That shot seemed to have clicked a button for the 27-year-old, who was just untouchable for the remainder of the set. After holding the set at 3-4, the Brazilian broke Swiatek’s serve and took a clean win in the first set, giving her a good chance in the match.
The second quarter-final match between Iga Swiatek and Beatriz Haddad had gotten to a flying start after the Brazilian had fought hard to take the first set. She had fought her way back from a deep pit to put Swiatek on the back foot.
Due to a slow start, Haddad-Maiai was down 1-4 in the first set but soon clicked a switch and fought her way back restricting Swiatek to only 4 games. In no time, the Brazilian was up and going with the first set to her name.
Beatriz Haddad Maia wins the 1st set 6-4 against Iga Swiatek in Madrid
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 30, 2024
Bia came back from 1-4.
Incredible fight to win 5 straight games.
Never count her out. pic.twitter.com/tRPC8zVZwx
The World No.1 was known for her game on clay and she was not going down without a fight. From the start of the second set, Swiatek went all guns blazing and took an early double break, winning the set 6-0. It was a bagel set for the Pole, who quickly forced the game into a third set.
Continuing the same momentum for the third set, Swiatek started with a few banger games, taking a straight lead 4-1.
Haddad-Maia hoped to replicate the same she did in the first set, but Switek did not fall for the same plan twice, and soon took the game away. Swiatek won the match 4-6,6-0,6-2 to advance to the semi-finals of the Madrid Open.
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