Beatriz Haddad Maia – Foto: Jimmie48 Photography / Shutterstock.com
Beatriz Haddad Maia, Brazil’s top female tennis player, debuts in the WTA 1000 Cincinnati, USA, this Saturday, August 9, around 1:50 p.m. (Brasília time). The world number 21 faces young Australian Maya Joint, currently ranked 45th, in an unprecedented second-round match. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN 2 and the Disney+ streaming platform. The duel takes place at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, and is crucial for Bia, who seeks recovery after an early exit in Montreal. The tournament serves as preparation for the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year, starting late August.
The São Paulo native, seeded 18th, advanced directly to the second round, while Joint defeated Belgium’s Greet Minnen in the opener. The match promises to be competitive, with Bia aiming to leverage her experience against the rising Australian.
Estreia da 🇧🇷BIA HADDAD MAIA também já tem horário!
A brasileira, que começa já na R2 por ser cabeça de chave, enfrenta a jovem promessa australiana 🇦🇺MAYA JOINT
Vai ser o 2º jogo da Quadra 10. Previsão de começar entre 13:30 e 14:00
📺ESPN e Disney+ Premium. pic.twitter.com/vOrfQ8evtw
— Info Tenis Brasil (@InfoTenisBrasil) August 8, 2025
- Match time: Approximately 1:50 p.m. (Brasília time), on Court 10.
- Broadcast: ESPN 2 (cable TV) and Disney+ (streaming).
- Context: Bia aims to overcome her Montreal loss and gain confidence for the US Open.
The WTA 1000 Cincinnati is one of the circuit’s most prestigious events, with a prize pool exceeding five million dollars. Besides Bia, the tournament features other Brazilians, like João Fonseca, reinforcing the country’s presence.
Preparation for the US Open
The Cincinnati tournament is a strategic step for players gearing up for the US Open, starting August 25 in New York. Bia Haddad, who reached the US Open quarterfinals in 2024, needs strong results to maintain her ranking and gain momentum. The Brazilian has had an inconsistent 2025 season, with 10 wins and 21 losses, but stands out for a semifinal in the WTA 500 Strasbourg and quarterfinals in Bad Homburg. The hard court, used in Cincinnati, is one of Bia’s preferred surfaces, raising expectations for her campaign.
Her opponent, Maya Joint, is on the rise. The 19-year-old Australian won two WTA 250 titles in 2025, in Rabat (clay) and Eastbourne (grass), showing versatility. Her aggressive style and confidence in big tournaments make her a dangerous opponent.
- Bia’s 2025 performance: 10 wins, 21 losses, with highlights in Strasbourg and Bad Homburg.
- Maya Joint in 2025: Two WTA 250 titles and a top-50 ranking.
- Cincinnati history: Bia has never won in the main draw.
- Surface: Hard court, favorable to both players.
Bia Haddad’s Cincinnati journey
Bia Haddad has never advanced beyond the first round in Cincinnati’s main draw in recent participations. In 2017, she qualified and won a match, but later fell early to players like Jelena Ostapenko, Karolina Muchová, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Once a top-10 player in 2023, the Brazilian faces pressure to reverse this record and perform better in major tournaments.
Her Montreal loss to Suzan Lamens exposed inconsistencies, with Bia alternating strong moments with unforced errors. Against Joint, she’ll need solidity in baseline rallies and precision in her serve, capitalizing on her high-level match experience.
The tournament, held from August 7 to 18, features an expanded 96-player draw, increasing competitiveness. If Bia defeats Joint, she’ll face the winner of Ekaterina Alexandrova (15th) vs. Lulu Sun (97th), a potentially tougher challenge.
Match highlights
The clash between Bia Haddad and Maya Joint is highly anticipated, especially due to the contrast between the Brazilian’s experience and the Australian’s momentum. Joint, who climbed from 116th to the top 50 in 2025, has shown she can upset ranked players. Her win over Leylah Fernandez in Montreal highlights her hard-court competitiveness.
- Bia’s playing style: Focus on long rallies and a powerful backhand.
- Maya Joint’s style: Aggressive game with precise serves and quick movement.
- First encounter: No prior professional matches between them.
- Mental factor: Bia needs to overcome pressure from recent losses.
The match is the second on Court 10, following Lorenzo Musetti vs. Benjamin Bonzi, which may adjust its start time. ESPN and Disney+ offer full coverage, with Portuguese narration and multi-court streaming.
Brazilian participation in the tournament
Besides Bia Haddad, Brazil is represented in the men’s draw by João Fonseca, who faces China’s Yunchaokete Bu in the opener. Fonseca, ranked 49th, comes off a historic Wimbledon third-round run and aims to solidify his place on the circuit. The Brazilian presence in Cincinnati underscores the country’s growing tennis scene.
In doubles, Bia teams up with Germany’s Laura Siegemund, facing Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova on the same day at 11 a.m. The duo, which reached Wimbledon’s round of 16 in 2024, could boost Bia’s confidence.
- João Fonseca: Faces Yunchaokete Bu at 12 p.m., broadcast on ESPN and Disney+.
- Women’s doubles: Bia and Siegemund play at 11 a.m., before the singles match.
- Other Brazilians: Thiago Monteiro and Thiago Wild fell early in 2024.
Tournament’s importance to the circuit
The WTA 1000 Cincinnati is a key event in the North American hard-court swing, serving as a gauge for the US Open. It attracts top players like Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff, who are in Bia’s draw. With a prize pool over five million dollars, the tournament offers valuable ranking points.
For Bia, advancing in Cincinnati is crucial to regain confidence shaken by recent losses. Her history of strong showings in preparatory events, like the 2024 WTA 250 Cleveland final, raises hopes for consistency against top competition.
Cincinnati WTA 1000 schedule
The Cincinnati tournament follows an intense 12-day schedule. The first round ran from August 7 to 9, with the second round, including Bia’s debut, on August 9 and 10. The round of 16 is set for August 13 and 14, quarterfinals on August 15, semifinals on August 17, and the final on August 18.
- First round: August 7 to 9, with qualifying on August 5 and 6.
- Second round: August 9 and 10, with seeds debuting.
- Round of 16 and quarterfinals: August 13 to 15, with key matches.
- Semifinals and final: August 17 and 18, crowning the champion.
ESPN and Disney+ coverage starts daily at noon, ensuring Brazilian fans catch every detail. Streaming is a convenient option for mobile viewing, with high-quality visuals and Portuguese narration.
Expectations for Bia’s campaign
Bia Haddad’s Cincinnati debut is a pivotal moment in her season. After a 2025 of ups and downs, the Brazilian has a chance to shine on a hard court, where she’s historically performed well. Fans hope she breaks her main-draw winless streak in Cincinnati and advances to later rounds.
The match against Maya Joint will test her patience and strategy. The Australian’s aggressive style may pressure Bia, but her experience in big tournaments could tip the scales. A strong Cincinnati run could position Bia favorably for the US Open draw and boost her confidence for the season’s remainder.
