NEW YORK — In a captivating first-round encounter at the US Open, Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia mounted a thrilling comeback to defeat Britain's Sonay Kartal 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-4. The victory, sealed under the Louis Armstrong Stadium lights, was inspired by a pre-match pep talk from a surprising source: Sky Sports pundit and former British No. 1, Laura Robson.
Haddad Maia, the No. 20 seed, found herself on the brink of a major upset against the 22-year-old qualifier from Brighton. Kartal, ranked No. 298 in the world and playing in her first main-draw match at Flushing Meadows, displayed fearless tennis to snatch a tense first-set tiebreak. However, a shift in momentum, spurred by advice from Robson, propelled the experienced Brazilian to a hard-fought, three-set victory that lasted two hours and 41 minutes.
A Rocky Start for the Seeded Brazilian
The match began with Kartal playing with the freedom of a player with nothing to lose. Her powerful, flat groundstrokes pushed Haddad Maia deep behind the baseline, neutralizing the Brazilian's heavy topspin. The first set was a grueling affair, with both players holding serve under pressure until the tiebreak. Kartal’s aggressive returning and a few unforced errors from Haddad Maia gave the Brit a 7-5 tiebreak win, sending a shockwave through the court. "I started a little bit nervous," Haddad Maia admitted in her post-match press conference.
The Turning Point: A Pundit's Perspective
During the short break between sets, Haddad Maia had a moment of clarity. She recalled a conversation with Laura Robson, who was working as an analyst for Sky Sports. Robson, who has faced her own share of career challenges, had emphasized the importance of patience and point construction against a hard-hitting qualifier. "Laura told me before the match to use my experience, to use my legs, and to not try to end the points too quickly against a player who is hitting so flat and hard," Haddad Maia revealed.
Heeding this advice, Haddad Maia completely altered her tactics in the second set. She began utilizing her signature heavy lefty forehand to create high-bouncing, looping shots that pushed Kartal out of her comfort zone. The Brazilian’s game plan focused on:
- Extending the rallies and exploiting Kartal's movement.
- Increasing her first-serve percentage dramatically.
- Using her slice backhand to break the rhythm of the match.
A Decider Worthy of the Stage
The third set was a nail-biting affair that showcased the heart of both competitors. Kartal, refusing to fade away, broke Haddad Maia's serve early to take a 2-0 lead. The Brazilian, however, immediately broke back, showcasing the mental resilience that has taken her to the latter stages of Grand Slams. With the set poised at 4-4, Haddad Maia’s experience proved decisive. She secured a critical break of serve and then coolly served out the match, sealing it with a powerful serve out wide that Kartal could only return into the net.
Post-Match Reactions and Respect
At the net, the two competitors shared a warm embrace, a moment of mutual respect after a brutal battle. Haddad Maia was full of praise for her opponent: "Sonay played unbelievable today. She has a great future. She was qualifying and came to the main draw with a lot of confidence. I had to fight a lot and I'm very happy that I found a way to win in three sets."
Kartal, though undoubtedly disappointed, could hold her head high after a performance that announced her potential on the world stage. "I left everything out there," she told the BBC. "It's tough to take losing after being a set up and having chances in the third, but Bea is a top-20 player for a reason. She raised her level when it mattered most. I’ll learn from this and come back stronger."
Robson's Role and Looking Ahead
The revelation of Robson's influence highlights the often-unseen role of pundits and former players in the current game. Their insights, born from experience, can provide a crucial edge. Haddad Maia made sure to credit the Brit: "Laura gave me a very good tip. Sometimes you just need to hear it from someone else, someone who has been in those situations. It made all the difference for me today."
With the hard-fought win, Beatriz Haddad Maia advances to the second round of the US Open, where she will face Taylor Townsend of the United States. The victory not only keeps her campaign alive but also serves as a testament to her fighting spirit and her ability to adapt under pressure, thanks in part to a well-timed word from a knowledgeable voice outside the court.
For Sonay Kartal, the defeat marks the end of her US Open singles journey but the beginning of what promises to be a promising career. Her performance against a established top-20 player will provide a massive confidence boost and likely see her ranking climb significantly, ensuring direct entry into more major tournaments in the future.
The match will be remembered as a classic US Open thriller, a rollercoaster of momentum swings and raw emotion. It was a contest that had everything: the drama of an underdog pushing a seed to the limit, the tactical nuance of a mid-match adjustment, and the ultimate triumph of experience, inspired by a voice from the commentary box. "This is why we love the US Open," Robson remarked on air after the match. "You just never know what story will unfold."