World number 1 Iga Swiatek came back from one set down to beat number seed 11 Beatriz Haddad Maia 4-6 6-0 6-2 on Manolo Santana Stadium in a re-match of the 2023 Roland Garros semifinal after 2 hours and 29 minutes at the Madrid Mutua Open.
Swiatek lost her first head-to-head match against Haddad Maia in the first round in Toronto 2022. The three-time Roland Garros champion beat her Brazilian opponent for the third time in a row after her previous wins in last year’s Roland Garros semifinals and at this year’s United Cup in Australia.
Swiatek broke to love in the fourth game after a double fault from Haddad Maia and saved a break point to consolidate the break with a hold of serve for 4-1. Haddad Maia reeled off the final five games, as Swiatek made 13 unforced errors.
Swiatek turned around the match by winning eight consecutive games, taking a bagel win in the second set and earning an early break at the start of the third set to build up a 2-0 lead. Swiatek did not face a break point and dropped only 12 points in the second set.
Haddad Maia broke straight back in the third game to stop the eight-game losing streak. Swiatek broke for the second time in the fourth game and held serve to 30 to open up a 4-1 lead. Swiatek broke for the third time with a pair of heavy forehands to seal the win.
Swiatek has reached her fifth semifinal in 2024 and the 15th of her career at WTA 1000 level, the most among active players since 2020.
“I needed to stick to the tactics, because in the first set I started making too many mistakes. I started playing too fast. I just needed to really get back to basics and what I wanted to play today. It took me a while, longer than usual, but I am glad that it happened after the set anyway”, said Swiatek.
