NEW DELHI: In a heartbreaking turn of events, Ons Jabeur, the seventh seed, saw her aspirations of becoming the first African woman to win a singles Grand Slam slip away on Wednesday as she suffered a 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-1 defeat at the hands of Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia in the quarter-finals of the French Open in Paris.
The Brazilian athlete’s achievement is noteworthy as she becomes the first Brazilian woman since Maria Bueno in 1968 to reach a Slam semi-final. Moreover, she etched her name in history as the first female player from her country to secure a spot in the semi-finals at Roland Garros during the Open Era.

Jabeur, who had set her sights on reaching her third Grand Slam semi-final in less than a year, faced a determined challenge from the 14th-seeded left-hander. Haddad Maia displayed immense resilience, mounting a remarkable comeback to secure her own maiden appearance in the last four of a Grand Slam.
“In the middle of the second set my coach showed me the clock,” Haddad Maia said. “I had to be patient and keep doing the shots because she (Jabeur) is a pretty good player, one of the best in the world.”
“So I am proud of me and my team today because it is not easy playing her. You think you have another shot to play (in a rally) but then drop shot, winner. I always believed that the match is long.”
The last Brazilian to win a singles crown at the French Open was Gustavo Kuerten, who claimed his third Roland Garros men’s title in 2001.
The Tunisian contender initially gained momentum, breaking her opponent’s serve early on and showcasing her powerful groundstrokes. With Haddad Maia struggling to counter Jabeur’s flat groundstrokes, the former Wimbledon and US Open finalist seized an advantageous position.

However, the tables turned when Haddad Maia altered her strategy, opting to run Jabeur around the court. Jabeur, known for her effective drop shots, utilised this weapon to her advantage, quickly establishing a 4-1 lead.
Eventually, Jabeur secured the first set, with Haddad Maia committing an error by sending a forehand wide on the crucial set point.

Both players maintained their serve without facing any break points until a critical juncture at 5-5. Jabeur held a 40-15 advantage on Haddad Maia’s serve but failed to convert either of the opportunities. Similarly, Haddad Maia squandered a chance in the subsequent game, but ultimately triumphed by winning the tiebreak.

In the decisive third set, Haddad Maia surged ahead with a commanding 5-1 lead, capitalizing on Jabeur’s errant forehand on match point.

It was a bitter defeat for Jabeur, who had shown tremendous promise throughout the tournament. As for Haddad Maia, she now sets her sights on the semi-finals, ready to etch her name further into the annals of Brazilian tennis history.