Haddad Maia Survives Pigossi Scare, Top Seeds Mertens and Kudermetova Upset

Beatriz Haddad Maia, the top seed and currently ranked 27th in the world, secured a victory against Laura Pigossi in a match between Brazilian players at the Sao Paulo Open. The final score was 6-1, 6-4.

Haddad Maia dominated the first set, finishing it in 36 minutes. She then built a 5-1 lead in the second set. However, Pigossi, aged 31, fought back, holding serve twice and breaking Haddad Maia's serve in the eighth game. Pigossi even managed to win two of the first three points in the tenth game, but Haddad Maia ultimately prevailed, winning the final three points to secure the match.

In the next round, Haddad Maia is set to face Renata Zarazua of Mexico, who is the fifth seed. Zarazua advanced by defeating Berfu Cengiz of Turkey with a score of 6-4, 6-4. Zarazua had previously defeated Madison Keys in the first round of the U.S. Open.

The afternoon session saw upsets for the top two seeds. Elise Mertens of Belgium, the top seed, lost to Elsa Jacquemot of France in a match that lasted 2 hours and 31 minutes, with a final score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Veronika Kudermetova of Russia, the second seed, was defeated by Victoria Jiminez Kasintseva of Andorra, with a score of 6-4, 6-2.

Mertens lost her serve in the first game of the deciding set and again in the fifth game. Jiminez Kasintseva successfully defended all of her opponent's break point opportunities, while converting on three of her six chances.

In another match, Emiliana Arango of Colombia defeated Storm Hunter of Australia with a score of 6-2, 6-2.

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, the third seed and the highest-ranked player remaining, was scheduled to play Marina Stakusic of Canada in the evening session. Additionally, three other second-round matches were scheduled.