Brazilian Haddad Maia into last 16 with win over Romanian Cirstea

Beatriz Haddad Maia (Bra, 13) bt Sorana Cirstea 6-2/6-2

By Charlie Stong on Court No.3

Brazilian number 13 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia is through to the fourth round at Wimbledon after a 6-2/6-2 win over Sorana Cirstea.

The scoreline was tough on the Romanian world number 37, who fought hard until Haddad Maia began to run away with things in the second set.

The standard on Court No.3 was high from the off, both players forcing each other back with deep forehands close to or on the service line.

But it was Haddad Maia who broke in the very first game – and she then eventually held her serve, despite four deuces, to take a 2-0 lead.

Haddad Maia threatened to take complete control of the match when she broke again for 3-0, but Cirstea responded with some incredible groundstrokes to make it 1-3 – then held to confirm the break.

The Brazilian showed glimpses of her very best in the next game, holding serve for a 4-2 lead with some powerful hitting.

At 2-4 Cirstea managed to save one break point, but a superb double-handed backhand down the line handed Haddad Maia a second opportunity, which she took thanks to her opponent netting.

Haddad Maia set up two set points in the next game thanks to a deft backhand lob. A plucky forehand down the line from the Romanian saved the first, but Haddad Maia took it when Cirstea netted a return on the next point.

If the first set had been tough for the Brazilian, the second, as is often the case, was much more straightforward.

Cirstea was broken in her first two service games of the second set – Haddad Maia throwing in a 111mph second serve ace in between.

Two more aces set the Brazilian on her way to a 4-0 lead, and although Cirstea recovered her composure to hold her next two service games, the damage had already been done, and Haddad Maia secured the match just as the rain began to fall on the All England Club.

Sorana Cirstea v Beatriz Haddad Maia on Court No.3 today (Picture: Charlie Stong)