The 100% Brazilian duo in the mixed doubles category, formed by Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos, have secured a place in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open this Saturday evening. They overtook North American Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Croatian Mate Pavic, with a 6/4 double, just over an hour from the start.

The duel was even, but the Brazilians made good use of the first serves and defined the victory in the important points. Stefani and Matos had two break points from six chances, while the rivals didn’t take advantage of any of the three chances they had.

“We had a great game, we managed to serve really well. Rafa and I have been playing together since the United Cup, in Brisbane, we added one more game and the more we play together the better we performed. It was really good and fun to play alongside him,” said the Brazilian.

In the next phase, the duo face Australians Lizette Cabrera and John-Patrick Smith, who beat the number 8 seeded duo of Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski and Australian Max Purcell.

Bia and Zhang are eliminated

Another Brazilian to enter the court early this Sunday, Beatriz Haddad Maia. She played in the round of 16 of the women’s doubles category of the tournament, alongside Chinese Shuai Zhang, but was beaten by Czechs Miriam Kolodziejova and Marketa Vondrousova, with partials of 3/6, 7/6 (11- 9) and 7/6 (14-12).

The setback had a bitter taste for the duo, who lost nine match points and took the turnaround after more than two and a half hours of play. Current Australian doubles runners-up, the São Paulo native also dropped out her debut in women’s singles last Wednesday.

Brazilians in the youth tournament

Brazil was also represented this Sunday by two Brazilians in the Australian Open youth tournament. However, they took opposite directions: João Fonseca, who had already made a good debut in singles, also qualified in doubles with the Belgian Alexander Blockx, against the Americans Kaylan Bigun and Meecah Bigun (partials of 6/3 and 6 /0). The duo are the No. 1 seed in the competition.

Nicolas Oliveira, just 16, was not so lucky. He challenged the Czech Maxim Mrva, but was beaten by 3/6, 6/1 and 6/1 on the first route.