Haddad Moves On At The US Open

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

By Shara Talia Taylor

It looked like Danish professional tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, ranked at No. 71 in women’s singles, might upset No. 22 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil, after the second set of their match Monday at the US Open.  

She lost the first set and made a comeback in the second set, but Maia bested her in the third set and moved forward to the quarterfinals after winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Wozniacki felt she came up short of the win, because of her start as she tried to adjust to her opponent at Louis Armstrong Stadium .  

“I didn’t start off my best,” Wozniacki said. “I was finding it hard to find a rhythm.” 

The former No. 1 player, made it to the fourth round for the second consecutive year. Last year she was admired as she returned to the sport after retiring in 2020 and having children with husband and former New York Knicks player David Lee.  Wozniacki fell to Coco Gauff in the 2023 US Open. Monday, she expressed challenges facing a left-handed opponent. “I think it’s always tricky playing a lefty,” Wozniacki said. “I think she caught me quite a few times serving that lefty both into the body on the right side, it’s just hard to get out of the way.”

Wozniacki and Maia each had four double faults. Wozniacki made 64% of her first serves compared to Haddad Maia who made 67% of her serves. 

“The first set was pretty good from my side, and then, well, she improved a little bit,” Haddad Maia said.  “I had my up-and-downs during the second set, and I tried to become to understand what was going on and be disciplined, and I’m very happy that I could make this win.” 

Haddad Maia moved ahead to face Karolína Muchová Wednesday. Wozniacki said she did not feel the result of the match would have “any kind of bearing” on her steps for the remainder of the season, but would reflect with her family.