Meeting for the first time since the second round of the 2022 US Open, Bianca Andreescu and Beatriz Haddad Maia will square off in the round of 16 of the Tokyo Open on Tuesday.
In her opening match, Andreescu was able to get past Mei Yamaguchi 7-5 6-3, while Haddad Maia is coming off a quarter-final finish at the Ningbo Open, where she was beaten by Paula Badosa 3-6 2-6.
Match preview
© Imago
Down 3-1 in the opening set of her first match at this tournament, Andreescu reacted exceptionally well, losing just two more games in that set.
That enabled the 2019 US Open champion to gain some much-needed momentum and win a WTA match for the first time since July, when she defeated Clara Tauson (6-2 6-3) only to lose her round of 32 clash of the Olympics singles draw against Donna Vekic (3-6 4-6).
Despite registering three double faults in her opener at this event, Andreescu overpowered Yamaguchi by winning 70% of her first serves, while her opponent only won 53% of hers.
It has been a difficult few months for the Canadian, who had lost her opening match in four straight hard court tournaments, including a thrilling three-set defeat versus Jasmine Paolini at the US Open this past summer (7-6 2-6 4-6).
She has only played 16 matches this year and, over that span, has won 70.2% of her service games and 63.3% of her first serves.
Her return game has been especially disappointing in 2024, converting just 39.1% of her break points and winning 27.3% of her return games.
© Imago
A quarter-final appearance at the Ningbo Open should help instil some confidence back in Haddad Maia, who had been eliminated in the round of 16 or earlier in her previous two WTA events.
The Brazilian is seeking her first victory on tour since capturing the Hanna Bank Open on the hard court back in September versus Daria Kasatkina (1-6 6-4 6-1).
Ranked #2 at this event, Haddad Maia has not lost her opening match on Asian soil since Jasmine Paolini beat her at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship (6-4 4-6 0-6).
In 2024, she has managed to win 70.5% of her service games despite registering 192 double faults while hitting significantly fewer aces than that (125).
Haddad Maia has made up for some of those shortcomings by winning 54.6% of her return points and converting 47.1% of her break points.
Meanwhile, she won 65.5% of her first serves this year and managed to save 59.8% of her break points, playing a big part in her winning 58.8% of her service points.
Tournament so far
Bianca Andreescu:
Round of 32: vs. Mei Yamaguchi 7-5 6-3
Head To Head
Waco Showdown (2016) - Second Round: Haddad Maia wins 3-6 7-6 4-0 retired
US Open (2022) - Second Round: Andreescu wins 6-2 6-4
The first time these two met at the Waco Showdown, the Brazilian won 55% of her second serves, while Andreescu only won 40% of hers before being forced to retire.
When they met again at Flushing Meadows years later, Haddad Maia hit six double faults, while the Canadian won 60% of her second serves, with her opponent only winning 31%.
We say: Haddad Maia to win in three sets
We have seen more consistency from Haddad Maia in 2024, which is why we expect to see her win a close one against Andreescu, who is still trying to regain her form from years past.
Joel Lefevre
