Bia Haddad Maia defeats Sonay Kartal in intense US Open debut match

Brazilian tennis player Beatriz Haddad Maia, ranked 22nd in the WTA, started the 2025 US Open with a victory, defeating British player Sonay Kartal, ranked 51st, in an exciting match on Court 12 in New York on Tuesday, August 26. The first-round match of the final Grand Slam of the year ended with scores of 6/3, 1/6, and 6/1, after intense rallies and moments of resilience from the São Paulo native. The match, played on hard courts, marked Bia’s revenge against Kartal, who had beaten her in Indian Wells in March by 6/2, 6/1. With this win, the Brazilian advances to the second round, where she will face either France’s Lois Boisson or Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic. The victory is crucial for Bia, who aims to regain confidence after an inconsistent season and defend the 430 points earned in 2024, when she reached the quarterfinals. Brazilian fans followed closely, with live broadcasts on ESPN, SporTV3, and Disney+.

The match began evenly, with Bia holding her serve and maintaining consistency from the baseline. In the first set, the Brazilian secured a decisive break in the sixth game, closing it 6/3 with aggressive play. However, Kartal fought back in the second set, capitalizing on Bia’s unforced errors to dominate 6/1. In the deciding set, the São Paulo native regained control, leveraging her serve and powerful groundstrokes to secure a commanding victory.

• Key match stats: Bia won 83 points in total, compared to Kartal’s 73.
• Serve performance: The Brazilian had a 70% first-serve success rate, against Kartal’s 67%.
• Break points: Bia converted 5 of 12 break point opportunities, while Kartal capitalized on 4 of 7.
• Resilience: After losing the second set, Bia won 8 of the last 9 games played.

Performance on Court 12

Court 12, located at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, provided an intimate setting for the clash, with Brazilian fans creating a vibrant atmosphere. Bia, known for her tenacity, used the crowd’s energy to stay focused, especially in the third set. The Brazilian recorded two aces and won 46% of second-serve points, surpassing Kartal’s 38%. The British player committed two double faults, which proved costly at critical moments.

The match featured intense rallies, with Bia relying on her powerful forehand and Kartal betting on quick returns. Despite the second-set loss, the Brazilian adjusted her strategy, reducing errors and varying her shots to unsettle her opponent. The win highlights Bia’s ability to recover under pressure, a key factor for her tournament campaign.

Mais sobre o assunto: Bia Haddad Maia vence Sonay Kartal em jogo intenso na estreia do US Open

• Decisive stats: Bia scored 38 service points, against Kartal’s 35.
• Return points: The Brazilian won 35 points on return, compared to Kartal’s 27.
• Third-set dominance: Bia won 6/1, securing 4 consecutive games.

🚨BIA EN CANCHA!!

Bia Haddad Maia🇧🇷 ya está en el Court 12: En minutos hará su debut en el US Open frente a Sonay Kartal🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/0r1TJUF6sn

— Cancha Central 🎾 (@_canchacentral) August 26, 2025

Path in the 2025 US Open

With the victory, Bia Haddad Maia advances to face the winner of the match between Lois Boisson, ranked 46th, and Viktorija Golubic, ranked 72nd, in the second round. The Brazilian has a challenging history against Golubic, who leads their head-to-head 4-1, though Bia won their most recent encounter in Cleveland. If she progresses, she could face tough opponents like Elina Svitolina in the third round or even Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals.

The 2025 US Open, played on hard courts, is the largest tennis tournament in the United States, with a total prize money of $75 million. For Bia, each round is an opportunity to earn points and improve her ranking, especially after a season with only 10 wins in 33 matches. As South America’s only top-20 WTA player, she carries the responsibility of representing Brazilian tennis in a field dominated by Europeans and Americans.

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• Prize money at stake: The first-round win guarantees $154,000.
• Potential opponents: Svitolina, Anisimova, or Swiatek in later rounds.
• Bia’s history: Her best US Open result was the quarterfinals in 2024.
• Kartal’s challenge: The British player aimed for her best Grand Slam result.

Reaction after Indian Wells loss

The match against Sonay Kartal carried extra weight for Bia, who sought redemption after her loss in Indian Wells. In March, Kartal dominated with a solid game, exploiting Bia’s unforced errors and maintaining consistency. This time, Bia entered the court better prepared, improving her serve, which has a 57.4% success rate on hard courts in 2025, and avoiding prolonged rallies where the British player excels.

The win ends a streak of four consecutive losses for Bia, who had early exits in Monterrey, Toronto, Cincinnati, and Wimbledon. The 29-year-old showed resilience by overcoming a shaky second set and returning strongly in the decisive set. Brazilian fans in New York celebrated the result, which keeps hopes alive for a strong tournament run.

Playing style and strategies

Bia Haddad Maia is known for her aggressive style, with a powerful forehand and a serve that, when effective, makes a difference on fast courts. Against Kartal, the Brazilian mixed baseline rallies with net approaches, exploiting the British player’s speed. Kartal relied on precise returns and a counterattacking game but struggled to maintain consistency in the third set.

Court 12, smaller than Arthur Ashe Stadium, suited Bia’s game, as she felt comfortable with the crowd’s proximity. The Brazilian won 83 total points against Kartal’s 73, excelling in the 8 service games won. The match, lasting about two hours, tested Bia’s endurance and focus, with the Brazilian overcoming moments of instability to secure the win.

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• Bia’s edge: Greater Grand Slam experience, with 10 wins in 31 matches in 2025.
• Kartal’s strength: Speed and precision in returns, with a 60.94% first-serve success rate.
• Mental factor: Bia overcame the pressure of four consecutive losses.
• Crowd support: The Brazilian community in New York created a favorable atmosphere.

Significance for Brazilian tennis

Bia Haddad Maia’s victory is a milestone for Brazilian tennis, especially after the elimination of other Brazilians in the qualifying rounds, including Thiago Wild, Thiago Monteiro, and Laura Pigossi. Alongside João Fonseca, who also advanced in the men’s draw, Bia is Brazil’s main representative in the 2025 US Open. Her campaign in the tournament, which attracts over 700,000 in-person spectators, boosts the sport’s visibility in Brazil.

The US Open, known for its vibrant atmosphere and innovations like electronic call reviews, is a global stage. For Bia, the tournament is a chance to solidify her top-20 ranking and regain confidence after a challenging season. The Brazilian, who has won four singles titles, including Seoul in 2024 and Zhuhai in 2023, aims to match or surpass her 2024 quarterfinal run, when she defeated players like Caroline Wozniacki before falling.

• Brazilian tennis: Bia is the only Brazilian in the WTA top 100 in 2025.
• US Open history: Bia’s best result was the 2024 quarterfinals.
• Total prize money: The tournament distributes $75 million, with $5 million for singles champions.
• Tournament innovations: Use of VAR and coverage in over 200 countries.

Next steps in the tournament

The second round will be a crucial test for Bia, who will face Boisson or Golubic. France’s Lois Boisson, a Roland Garros semifinalist, is a rising star, while Golubic brings experience and a favorable head-to-head. Advancing could lead Bia to face players like Elina Svitolina, Amanda Anisimova, or Iga Swiatek, requiring consistency and tactical adjustments.

Bia’s 2025 US Open campaign is closely followed by Brazilian fans, who hope to see the São Paulo native replicate her 2024 brilliance. With high-definition broadcasts and expert commentary, the tournament keeps fans engaged with every point. The debut win is a significant step for Bia, who seeks not only ranking points but also the confidence to tackle the tournament’s next stages.