Bia Haddad Maia, world number 21 and Brazil’s top tennis player, returns to the courts on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, to face Dutch player Suzan Lamens, ranked 64th in the WTA, in the second round of the WTA 1000 in Montreal, Canada. The match, scheduled for around 8:30 PM (Brasília time), will be broadcast live on ESPN and Disney+ streaming. After nearly a month without competing since her second-round loss at Wimbledon, Bia, the 18th seed, aims to regain her rhythm on the hard-court swing. The clash, set for the Rogers Court, marks the second meeting between the two, with Lamens having won their only prior encounter in 2021 on clay in Oeiras. The Brazilian, a 2022 finalist in the tournament, enters as the favorite but faces an opponent on the rise in the WTA circuit.
The 29-year-old Paulista has not played since her defeat to Hungary’s Dalma Galfi at Wimbledon in early July. The break was strategic for physical recovery and technical adjustments, targeting the final stretch of the season. Montreal kicks off Bia’s preparation for the US Open, the year’s final Grand Slam.
- Return after break: Bia seeks to rebuild confidence after an early Wimbledon exit.
- Tournament history: A finalist in 2022, the Brazilian has experience in Canada.
- Rising opponent: Suzan Lamens is enjoying the best moment of her career with a career-high ranking.
Bia Haddad’s path at WTA 1000 Montreal
Bia Haddad Maia, as a seeded player, advanced directly to the second round, while Suzan Lamens had to defeat Russia’s Polina Kudermetova in the first round, winning 2-1 (6/3, 4/6, 6/2) in a 2-hour, 2-minute match. The 26-year-old Dutch player is in her best career phase, having reached 61st in the rankings two weeks ago. Despite Bia’s favoritism, with odds of 1.56 against Lamens’ 2.44, their 2021 match, where Lamens won 2/6, 6/4, 6/3, suggests a competitive duel. The Brazilian will need consistency to overcome her opponent, who showed solidity in the opener. The hard court in Montreal, where Bia has previously excelled, could be an advantage for the Paulista.
The WTA 1000 Montreal features top names like Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek but misses world number 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who withdrew due to physical fatigue. For Bia, the tournament is a chance to earn ranking points and build momentum ahead of the US Open.
Bia’s history in Canada
Bia Haddad’s 2022 campaign, when she reached the final in Toronto, was a career milestone. She defeated heavyweights like Iga Swiatek, then world number 1, Leylah Fernandez, Karolina Pliskova, and Belinda Bencic before falling to Simona Halep in three sets. In 2023, however, an injury in the second round against Leylah Fernandez in Montreal halted her run.
- 2022: Finalist in Toronto, defeating top-20 players.
- 2023: Injury in second round in Montreal against Fernandez.
- 2025: Faces Lamens in opener, with chance to reach round of 16.
- Best ranking: 10th position in 2023 after a strong season.
Bia’s experience in the Canadian tournament, which alternates between Toronto and Montreal, is a key asset. She has proven capable of beating top players on hard courts but must overcome her past loss to Lamens.
Suzan Lamens’ recent performance
Though less experienced in WTA 1000 events, Suzan Lamens is showing steady improvement. In 2025, she has 21 wins and 18 losses, with highlights including a semifinal in Rouen and a runner-up finish in Osaka in 2023. On hard courts, her record is solid, with 9 wins in 16 matches this season. Against Kudermetova, Lamens displayed resilience, breaking her opponent’s serve seven times and saving four break points.
The Dutch player, who has never advanced past the second round in a WTA 1000, faces a tougher challenge in Bia. Her 2021 victory in Oeiras was on clay, a different surface, which may level the playing field.
Tournament draw and potential opponents
If she advances, Bia Haddad could face Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in the third round, another player who received a first-round bye. In the round of 16, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, the seventh seed, looms as a potential hurdle. A rematch with Iga Swiatek, world number 2, would only happen in a potential final, echoing their 2022 clash.
- Next challenges: Alexandrova in third round, Paolini in round of 16.
- Possible final: Iga Swiatek, world number 2, is the top favorite.
- Absences: Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen, and Paula Badosa are not competing.
- Favorites: Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina are also in the draw.
Bia’s path in the tournament is challenging but manageable, given her experience and history in Canada.
Importance of the tournament for Bia
The WTA 1000 Montreal is a critical stop in Bia Haddad’s season, as she aims to improve her 2025 record of 10 wins and 20 losses. The Brazilian, a former top-10 player in 2023, needs consistent results to climb the rankings. The tournament, with a $5 million prize pool, offers valuable points and serves as a warm-up for the US Open in August.
The nearly month-long break since Wimbledon allowed Bia to refine her serve and movement, weaknesses in her last match. Against Lamens, she is expected to rely on her powerful forehand and aggressive play to control the match.
Matchup curiosities
The clash between Bia Haddad and Suzan Lamens brings intriguing elements that could influence the outcome:
- Only prior match: Lamens won in 2021 in a lower-tier ITF event.
- Hard court: Bia has 224 wins in 345 matches on the surface, compared to Lamens’ 9 in 16 in 2025.
- Momentum: Lamens is in top form, but Bia has more big-tournament experience.
- Broadcast: The match is the last on Rogers Court, following Rybakina vs. Baptiste.
Match expectations
The match promises to be competitive, with Bia Haddad aiming to impose her aggressive style against Lamens’ consistency. The Brazilian’s greater experience in high-level tournaments should help her exploit her serve and returns to pressure the Dutch player. However, Lamens, buoyed by her first-round win, could pull off an upset if she maintains her steadiness.
The Canadian crowd, known for supporting local players, will create a lively atmosphere, though neither player is from Canada. The ESPN and Disney+ broadcast ensures visibility, especially for Brazilian fans following Bia’s journey.
US Open preparation
Montreal is Bia Haddad’s first major test in the hard-court swing leading to the US Open. Having reached the round of 16 in New York before, she knows the importance of building confidence and match rhythm. The WTA 1000 provides a chance to face top opponents and fine-tune her game for the Grand Slam.
The month-long break likely benefited Bia, who thrives in longer tournaments. Her physical preparation, guided by her coaching team, focused on improving endurance and shot precision.
- Technical focus: Serve and movement are priorities for Bia.
- Experience: Bia has faced top-10 players in Montreal, like Swiatek and Pliskova.
- US Open: Strong results in Canada could boost confidence for the Grand Slam.
Ranking implications
A strong run in Montreal could help Bia Haddad climb the rankings. Currently at 21st, she is far from her career-high top 10 but could close the gap with consistent wins. The absence of Sabalenka and other top-10 players opens opportunities for breakthroughs.
Lamens, meanwhile, aims to solidify her top-70 position, with a chance to crack the top 50 if she scores big wins. Facing Bia is an opportunity to make a statement on the WTA tour.
