March 28, 2024
Pia Haddad beats Pliskova to get the biggest win of her career and advances in Indian Wells |  sport shoes

Pia Haddad beats Pliskova to get the biggest win of her career and advances in Indian Wells | sport shoes

Historic day for Brazilian tennis. This Monday (11), Pia Haddad scored the biggest victory for a Brazilian woman in the Open Era. Currently ranked 115th and playing the tournament as a lucky loser – eliminated in a last quali round and entered due to a loss – she beat Czech Karolina Pliskova, world number 3 and main favorite for the WTA 1000 title in Indian Wells by two sets to 0, part 6/3 and 7/5 , at 2:04 of the match.

Interestingly, the greatest victory for a tennis player in the country before this one was also Pia Haddad. In 2019, she defeated American Sloane Stephens, who was then the top 4 player in the world, at the Acapulco WTA. She qualified for the Round of 16 at Indian Wells, a tournament she returned to playing three years later, against the Brazilian, who also secured her return to the Top 100, Annette Kontaveit (#20), of Estonia.

Pia Haddad makes history in Indian Wells – Photo: Publicity / BNP Paribas Open

With winds making playing conditions difficult at Indian Wells, Pliskova took long to get into the match and made a poor start. Meanwhile, Pia Haddad was more consistent and knew how to make good use of the differences to further complicate the main favorite for the championship title. After starting a break for both sides, the Brazilian was able to confirm her serve, withstanding the pressure as the Czech took the lead, and with another break in the last game, she closed the match 6/3 to take the lead in the match.

The panorama remained in the second half, as the tennis players exchanged breaks and the Brazilian tried to increase the edge on the scoreboard, but struggled with greater consistency for Pliskova in the return matches. The large number of breaks continued – there were eight in total – and Pia Haddad came to serve victory in the ninth inning, but saw the Czechs react again and leave everything as is.

Pliskova, ranked No. 1, falls to Pia Haddad in Indian Wells – Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Not holding back, the Brazilian confirmed her serve and put the title favorites against the wall once again. After the points of the first match were to escape, Pia Haddad reached second place and did not waste them, achieving the historic victory by 7/5.