The opening day of the WTA 250 São Paulo Open not only marked the beginning of the tournament but also served as a heartfelt tribute to Maria Esther Bueno, celebrated as Brazil’s greatest tennis player. Bueno, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 78, was posthumously honored on Tuesday with tributes and a statue displayed at the central court now named in her honor. The event also recognized several Brazilian players who have reached the Top 100 in WTA rankings, including Niege Dias, Teliana Pereira, Patricia Medrado, Dadá Vieira, Gisele Miró, Vanessa Menga, and Paula Gonçalves.
The ceremony witnessed a spirited atmosphere, with the stands brimming with spectators, including Pedro Bueno, the niece of Maria Esther. The tribute set the tone for the exciting tennis action that followed.
In the spotlight was the top seed, Beatriz Haddad Maia, who opened her campaign with a resounding victory against Italy’s Miriana Tona. Dominating the match, Haddad Maia secured her place in the second round with a commanding score of 6-1, 6-1, wrapping up the contest in just 76 minutes. The Brazilian star paid tribute to her grandparents with a thoughtful gesture on the camera and spoke emotionally about their influence on her career.
Haddad Maia expressed her joy about having fellow Brazilians in the competition, noting, “It was special… the energy was incredible.” She is set to face Laura Pigossi next, a match that carries personal significance as they have been rivals since their junior days. ‘She’s a fighter,’ Haddad Maia mentioned, looking forward to a competitive encounter.
Pigossi advanced after a hard-fought battle against American Elizabeth Mandlik, winning 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, marking her first win at the tour level on hard courts.
The tournament also saw British player Fran Jones, the sixth seed, come from behind to defeat Israel’s Lina Glushko, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Jones will face Whitney Osuigwe in the next round.
Filipino star Alexandra Eala enjoyed a successful debut at the São Paulo Open, cruising past France’s Yasmine Mansouri with a scoreline of 6-0, 6-2. Eala, who expressed her delight at performing in front of an energetic Brazilian crowd, will next meet Argentina’s Julia Riera for a chance to reach the quarterfinals.
Local favorite Ana Candiotto also made waves by winning her first-ever WTA 250 match against Ukrainian Valeriya Strakhova, prevailing 6-3, 5-7, 6-0. Despite facing challenges, such as losing a lead in the second set, Candiotto dominated the final set, and now sets her sights on a second-round encounter with Hungary’s Panna Udvardy.
Additionally, Mexico’s Renata Zarazua easily advanced past local wild-card Luiza Fullana with a score of 6-2, 6-1, and will face Turkey’s Berfu Cengiz, who defeated Argentina’s Jazmin Ortenzi.
With the opening day filled with memorable moments and performances, the São Paulo Open promises thrilling tennis action as the tournament progresses. The rich legacy of Maria Esther Bueno is evident in the passion filled in every match as Brazilian players strive to honor her legacy on their home courts.
