Surging Haddad Maia reels in another impressive victory to book a spot in Toronto semis

Brasilian Beatriz Haddad Maia advanced to the last 4 of the National Bank Open by winning against Swiss Belinda Bencic, the No 12 seed, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 at the Aviva Centre in Toronto on Friday night.

Haddad Maia, ranked No 24, will face the winner of the match between Czech Karolina Pliskova, the No 14 seed, and Chinese Qinwen Zheng next.

Haddad Maia backed up her monumental upset of world No 1 Iga Swiatek by reaching her fifth semi-final of the season.

Haddad Maia’s four impressive victories

“Since the first round I’m having tough opponents every match, it’s very close,” said Haddad Maia. “The first round was really tough mentally for me and I fought a lot and every single match here is very difficult to play, to feel 100 percent well.”

Haddad Maia has reeled off four impressive victories this week in Canada. She is now 25-13 on the season and 15-4 in three-setters.

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The hard-hitting southpaw beat Italian Martina Trevisan (6-2, 2-6, 6-2), Canadian Leylah Fernandez, the No 13 seed (7-6 (4), 6-1) and Pole Iga Swiatek, the top seed (6-4, 3-6, 7-5) ahead of her victory.

In the previous rounds of the Canadian Open, Bencic, ranked No 12, defeated Czech qualifier Tereza Martincova (6-4, 6-2), American Serena Williams (6-2, 6-4) and Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, the No 8 seed (6-1, 6-3).

Toronto WTA 1000, other quarter-finals

• Karolina Pliskova vs. Qinwen Zheng: Friday
• Jessica Pegula (7) beat Yulia Putintseva: 6-3, 6-3
• Simona Halep (15) beat Coco Gauff (10): 6-4, 7-6 (2)

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