Top-seeded and World No. 27 Beatriz Haddad Maia had trouble getting to the finish line, but did knock off Laura Pigossi, 6-1, 6-4, in a battle of Brazilians at the Sao Paulo Open on Thursday.

Haddad Maia, who reached the fourth round of the U.S. Open, breezed through the first set in 36 minutes and took a 5-1 lead in the second set. But the 31-year-old Pigossi proved to be a tough out, holding serve twice and breaking the highest-ranked Brazilian woman in the eighth game. She won two of the first three points in the 10th game, but Haddad Maia won the final three points and captured the second-round match.

Haddad Maia on Friday will take on fifth-seeded Mexican Renata Zarazua, who bested Turkey’s Berfu Cengiz 6-4, 6-4. Zarazua defeated Madison Keys in the first round of the U.S. Open.

Hu

See Full Page