Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) – Current number 10 in the world and runner-up at this year’s Australian Open, Kazakhstani Elena Rybakina joined the list of major opponents beaten by Beatriz Haddad Maia from São Paulo in recent years. This Friday, she even took the lead, but took the Brazilian’s turn and fell in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 in Abu Dhabi with partials of 3/6, 6/3 and 6/2, in 2h06 of the game.
In the semifinals, the left-hander from São Paulo will face the Swiss Belinda Bencic, who earlier asserted her status as the second best ranked for the title and knocked out the North American Shelby Rogers in straight sets, with the final score of 7/6 (7 -5) and 6/2, recorded in 1h48 of confrontation. It will be the third duel between them, Bia won in Toronto and lost in Sydney, both last year.
With this week’s campaign, Bia will reach her best ranking next week. Current 14th in the world, she is temporarily rising to 12th place, but could still be overtaken by Ludmila Samsonova, if she doesn’t win more and the Russian wins the title in Abu Dhabi.
The match was balanced, with chances for both sides, but Rybakina managed to be a little more firm and consistent at the beginning. The Kazakh had the first two chances to break, in the fourth game, both avoided by Bia, who subsequently managed her only break-point in the first part, avoided with a great serve from her rival.
In full flight ✈️
🇰🇿 Elena Rybakina | #MubadalaAbuDhabiOpen pic.twitter.com/tdP7JmpdDz
— wta (@WTA) February 10, 2023
Bia had her serve threatened again in the sixth game, when she faced 15-40 and even saved the first break-point, but couldn’t resist the second and ended up taking the break. Serving very well, with a 73% success rate, Rybakina didn’t give any chances in the sequence, won all the points with the service and closed the first set.
In the second part, the left-hander from São Paulo started saving a break-point in the first game. She pressed Rybakina into the room, although without having a chance to break. In the sixth, Bia finally managed to overcome her rival’s serve and for the first time led the scoreboard. By confirming her next two service games, the Brazilian tied the game and took the decision to the third set.
Taking advantage of the best moment on the court, which came with a little more aggressiveness in the points, Bia opened the decisive partial with a break right away. Keeping the high level of tennis, the Brazilian scored a new break to serve in 5/2, confirming the game without scares and thus sealing a great comeback victory.
Battling back 👊
Beatriz Haddad Maia takes the second set 6-3 and forces a decider with Rybakina!@MubadalaADOpen | #MubadalaAbuDhabiOpen pic.twitter.com/RtYTfgGtFD
— wta (@WTA) February 10, 2023
