In the third longest game of the professional era of women’s tennis at the French Open, the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia fought her way into the quarterfinals.
After 3:51 hours, the 27-year-old was able to celebrate her 6: 7 (3: 7), 6: 3, 7: 5 win against the Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo and had tears in her eyes after the converted match point. She is the first Brazilian to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal since 1968.
According to the organizers, only two games by players at the clay court classic in Paris have lasted longer since 1968. Before that time there are no reliable statistics from the organizers. The record is 4:07 hours from 1995.
For Haddad Maria is the round of 16 victory against the world number 132. her greatest success at one of the four Grand Slam tournaments. She defeated the German Tatjana Maria in the first round.
Her next opponent had significantly less trouble. Title contender Ons Jabeur of Tunisia beat American Bernarda Pera 6-3, 6-1 in just 63 minutes.
The 28-year-old Wimbledon finalist has reached the quarterfinals in all four Grand Slam tournaments. After taking part in the finals in Wimbledon and at the US Open last year, she is still waiting for her first big triumph.