Trending up: Kudermetova, Zheng, Haddad Maia or Kalinina will reach Rome final

None of the projected quarterfinalists in the bottom half of the women's draw advanced to the final eight.

Published May 15, 2023

MATCH POINT: A.Kalinina def. M.Keys; Rome 4R

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The bottom half of the women’s draw presents a golden opportunity for one player to make a major statement heading into Roland Garros. For none of the projected quarterfinalists based on seeding managed to get through to the final eight.

The four remaining contenders have combined to reach a single WTA 1000 final. Running through Monday’s victorious competitors in this section:

Zheng advanced to the round of 16 at last year's French Open.

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Veronika Kudermetova

The No. 11 seed arrived at the Foro Italico on the back of her first 1000-level semifinal in Madrid, and she’s followed it up by tacking on three victories in Rome. Kudermetova produced her most comprehensive victory of the tournament in the round of 16, dispatching No. 27 seed Marie Bouzkova, 6-2, 6-2. The 2022 Roland Garros quarterfinalist broke the Czech twice in each set, all while successfully holding in every service game. Kudermetova is looking to contest her first title match of 2023, having finished runner-up at three finals last season.

Zheng Qinwen

The 2022 WTA Newcomer of the Year will meet Kudermetova for a place in the semifinals after winning an all-Chinese battle. Zheng pulled away from Wang Xiyu, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, to equal her best showing on the 1000 stage (2022 Toronto). In the decisive set, the No. 22 seed saved both break points she faced to advance after two and a half hours of work. Seeking her first career WTA title, Zheng’s deepest result of 2023 to date is a semifinal run in Abu Dhabi. Her maiden tour-level final appearance last September at Tokyo included a semifinal victory over Kudermetova.

Haddad Maia raised her first WTA trophies last June, both on grass.

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Beatriz Haddad Maia

In Madrid, the Brazilian dropped her opening match to 15-year-old Mirra Andreeva—but she picked up plenty of match play in winning the doubles crown alongside Victoria Azarenka. Haddad Maia has since translated that clay-court success to her singles game by winning all six sets thus far. The 12th seed’s latest success: a 6-3, 6-3 victory over qualifier Camila Osorio, who knocked out Caroline Garcia in the previous round. The first time the left-hander went this far at a WTA 1000, she ended up progressing to the final at 2022 Toronto.

Anhelina Kalinina

The No. 30 seed will look to halt Haddad Maia after stringing together a trio of momentous victories herself. Kalinina has eliminated consecutive Americans, following up her dismissal of Sofia Kenin by rallying past 19th-seeded Madison Keys, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, in two hours and five minutes. The 26-year-old Ukrainian entered this tour stop on a four-match losing streak, but is now a win away reaching the biggest semifinal of her career. Kalinina defeated Haddad Maia in their lone WTA-level clash at 2022 Miami.

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