Beatriz Haddad Maia, the Brazilian star who has reached her first Grand Slam semi-final at the 2023 French Open Haddad Maia downed Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. It took a lot of willpower and grit for the 27-year-old to beat challenges and attain the final 4.
However, she wants much more power in the semi-final, where she will face World No. 1 Iga Swiatek on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Thursday (June 8). Swiatek is the most challenging opponent on the clay-court Grand Slam proper now, as she has already lifted two titles and can be the defending champion.
But Haddad Maiaโs coach confirmed her a video of former World No.1 Novak Djokovic, the place he claimed how he felt the strain and nervousness. The Brazilian drew motivation from this, saying that this way of thinking helped her keep focus, overcome challenges, and helped her to have a unique way of thinking.
โAs I said after my last victory, I was very tense when I played against Sorribes Tormo (in the fourth round),โ Haddad Maia stated at the press convention after beating Jabeur in the quarterfinal. โThe day before, my coach had given me an interview with Novak which said that he felt the pressure and the nervousness. I said, ‘ If Djokovic and Rafa feel this pressure, why shouldnโt I? We must accept and remain humble and not fight against these emotions.โ
Related: Kristina Mladenovic compares hypocrisy on Novak Djokovicโs Kosovo assertion to the Ukraine struggle as debates proceed.
Among the two gamers, itโs the Pole who is taken into account as the favorite to win the match. But she misplaced her earlier encounter with the Brazilian final 12 months. In 2022, on the Canadian Open in Toronto, the two clashed within the Round of 16, where Haddad Maia was able to save the third set and win the match 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.
So what could be the most severe mistake Haddad Maia could make when dealing with Swiatek? Only defending and enjoying passive tennis, as many say. Swiatek grabbed herself her second consecutive semifinal on the again of 12-match winnings streaks in Paris and is but to lose a set.
She wastes no time in forging an assault; however, even then, two gamers have discovered an option to overcome her. Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka have defeated her to cease her from profitable extra titles this 12 months. Both these gamers appeared to have discovered the recipe to beat the Pole. They donโt permit her to set her up and dominate the rallies from the baseline.
And speaking about their vitality ranges, the Brazilian spent 12 hours and 55 minutes on the court docket (in singles and two extra hours in doubles) to succeed in the final 4. Conversely, the 22-year-old clinched her final rounds victories by spending a mere 5 hours 32 minutes on the court docket. If the match ends bodily like their final encounter, Swiatek could have an edge over the 27-year-old.
