Maya Joint – Foto: instagram
Nineteen-year-old Australian Maya Joint secured a historic victory by defeating Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, the 18th seed, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, in the second round of the WTA 1000 Cincinnati on Saturday, August 9, 2025. The nearly three-hour match, played on Court 10 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, marked Joint’s first back-to-back wins at a WTA 1000 event. Ranked in the top 50 in 2025, the young Australian displayed consistency and aggression against the world No. 21, advancing to face Ekaterina Alexandrova next. Broadcast live on ESPN and Disney+, the match was a milestone in Joint’s rising career, while Haddad Maia looks to regroup ahead of the US Open.
The victory came after a tightly contested match with intense rallies and high competitiveness. Joint, who defeated Belgium’s Greet Minnen in the first round, converted 7 of 19 break points, while Haddad Maia managed 6 of 17. The Australian also stood out with four aces and a 59% first-serve point win rate, compared to Haddad Maia’s 55%. Despite seven double faults, Haddad Maia fought until the end, but Joint’s aggressive play and confidence sealed the third set.
Milestone made👌
19 year old rising 🇦🇺 star Maya Joint for the first time in her career wins back to back WTA 1000 matches.
Just shy of three hours on the ⏰ taking down 18th seed 🇧🇷 Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in Cincinnati.
Next: Ekaterina Alexandrova (22) pic.twitter.com/QgxC5zXSTw
— The First Serve (@TheFirstServeAU) August 9, 2025
- Joint’s performance: Won 113 total points, compared to Haddad Maia’s 100.
- Bia’s resilience: The Brazilian took the second set 6-4, forcing a decider.
- Match duration: Nearly three hours with long, competitive games.
- Next challenge: Joint faces Ekaterina Alexandrova, world No. 22, in the third round.
Maya Joint’s meteoric rise
Maya Joint, born in the United States and representing Australia since 2023, is having a breakout 2025. Starting the year ranked 116th, she won two WTA 250 titles in Rabat (clay) and Eastbourne (grass), showcasing versatility across surfaces. Her win over Haddad Maia marks her second consecutive victory in a WTA 1000, a career first. Having opted out of college tennis at the University of Texas to go pro, Joint has beaten players like Donna Vekic and Leylah Fernandez in 2025, establishing herself as a rising star.
The match against Haddad Maia highlighted her ability to stay composed in critical moments. In the third set, Joint gained an early lead and withstood pressure from the Brazilian, who tried to stage a comeback. Her quick movement and precise serving neutralized Haddad Maia’s powerful backhand. Now ranked 45th, Joint is proving she can compete with the world’s best.
- 2025 titles: Rabat (clay) and Eastbourne (grass).
- Current ranking: 45th, up over 70 spots this year.
- Notable wins: Donna Vekic (20th) and Leylah Fernandez (24th).
- Playing style: Aggressive, with accurate serves and strong movement.
Beatriz Haddad Maia’s struggles
Beatriz Haddad Maia, Brazil’s top female tennis player, faced challenges in Cincinnati, a tournament where she has never advanced past the first round in the main draw, except in 2017 via qualifying. The Brazilian, a former top 10 player in 2023, is enduring an inconsistent 2025 with 10 wins and 21 losses. Her early exit in Montreal against Suzan Lamens already signaled issues, including double faults (averaging 4.8 per match) and unforced errors. Against Joint, these problems resurfaced, with seven double faults and struggles to hold serve under pressure.
Despite the loss, Haddad Maia showed fight by winning the second set. Her experience in major tournaments, like the 2023 Roland Garros semifinal, remains a strength, but consistency has been a hurdle. As the 18th seed with a first-round bye, she now shifts focus to preparing for the US Open, where she reached the quarterfinals in 2024.
Ranking and US Open implications
Joint’s win bolsters her climb in the WTA rankings, with a chance to near the top 40 if she progresses further in Cincinnati. The tournament, held from August 7 to 18, is a key tune-up for the US Open, starting August 25. For Haddad Maia, the loss adds pressure, as she defends significant points from last season, including a WTA 250 final in Cleveland and a US Open quarterfinal.
The match against Joint exposed areas for improvement in Haddad Maia’s serve and consistency. The Brazilian, known for her aggressive play on hard courts, must address these issues to compete in New York. Meanwhile, Joint gains momentum for her clash with Alexandrova, an experienced player with a similar aggressive style.
- Points to defend: Bia has a WTA 250 final and US Open quarterfinal from 2024.
- Joint’s next match: Faces Ekaterina Alexandrova, ranked 15th.
- Cincinnati’s importance: Final major tournament before the US Open.
Match details
The Court 10 clash featured intense exchanges and high-quality tennis. Joint took control early, breaking Haddad Maia’s serve to win the first set 6-4. The Brazilian fought back in the second, capitalizing on Joint’s errors to level the match. In the decisive third set, Joint secured a crucial break in the fifth game and held firm to close 6-4.
Joint won 58 service points to Haddad Maia’s 57 and 43 return points to the Brazilian’s 31. Her 7/19 break point conversion rate was pivotal, while Haddad Maia struggled with consistency under constant pressure.
- Match stats: Joint won 113 points to Bia’s 100.
- Break points: Joint converted 7/19; Bia, 6/17.
- Hits and misses: Joint had 4 aces; Bia, 7 double faults.
- Duration: 2 hours and 57 minutes of intense play.
Tournament context
The WTA 1000 Cincinnati, held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, is one of the season’s most prestigious events, featuring a 96-player draw. Played on hard courts, it serves as a critical warm-up for the US Open. Joint, after defeating Minnen in the opener, proved she can upset higher-ranked players, while Haddad Maia aims to overcome her poor Cincinnati record.
Joint’s next opponent, Ekaterina Alexandrova, poses a tougher test with her aggressive game. For Haddad Maia, the focus shifts to training for the US Open. Brazilian fans, who watched the match on ESPN and Disney+, remain hopeful for a strong showing from their top player in New York.
- Tournament format: 96-player draw, with finals on August 18.
- Broadcast: ESPN and Disney+ cover matches live.
- US Open prep: Cincinnati is a strategic stop before the Grand Slam.
- Joint’s milestone: First time with consecutive WTA 1000 wins.
