French Open 2023: Beatriz Haddad Maia beats Ons Jabeur to enter women's singles semifinal clash

In a thrilling quarterfinal match at the French Open 2023, Brazilian tennis player Beatriz Haddad Maia emerged victorious against the formidable Ons Jabeur of Tunisia, securing her place in the semifinals of the prestigious tournament at the Philippe-Chatrier court on Wednesday.

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Before the French Open 2023, the Brazilian could not even go past the second round in any Grand Slam. But she is now into her maiden semi-final. Moreover, No.14 seed Beatriz became the first Brazilian woman to reach the Roland Garros semifinals in the Open Era. 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. Beatriz will face either No.1 seed Iga Swiatek or No.6 seed Coco Gauff in the French Open 2023 semifinal.

Earlier, Ons Jabeur has beaten Haddad Maia in 12 out of 15 matches. But Maia's outstanding performance and determined spirit propelled her to a hard-fought victory, leaving fans in awe of her skill and resilience. she had not won a set from Jabeur in two previous encounters. Beatriz has rectified both statistics in memorable fashion. Four of Haddad Maia's five matches in Paris have gone to three sets, including victory from match point down in the third round against Ekaterina Alexandrova, and triumph in the 10th-longest match of the Open Era against Sara Sorribes Tormo in the fourth round.

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On Jabeur bagged a couple of quick breaks at the start to move into the driving seat with Haddad Maia having trouble dealing with her opponent's flat groundstrokes. The Brazilian, having already become the first woman from her country in 55 years to reach the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam, decided to run Jabeur instead. The Tunisian then deployed her much-feared weapon, plopping drop shots over the net with Haddad Maia quickly going 4-1 down.

Jabeur served out the first set a little later with the left-hander sending a forehand wide on the first set point. Both players held serve without conceding a single break point until 5-5. Jabeur went 40-15 up on Haddad Maia's serve but failed to convert either. Her opponent also wasted a chance in the next game but levelled after winning the tiebreak. She then raced to a 5-1 lead with Jabeur sending an easy forehand long on her opponent's first match point.