Beatriz Haddad Maia found it difficult to contain the tears when a loyal band of Brazilians launched into song in celebration of her US Open fourth-round win on Monday.
The tour is not exactly replete with stars from the South American nation to cheer on, so Brazilian supporters never miss an opportunity to bring the party courtside when the chance arises.
The 28-year-old Haddad Maia is their current standout.
The 22nd seed ground gave them plenty to celebrate as she ground out a 6-2 3-6 6-3 victory over former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
She became only the second Brazilian woman to reach a US Open quarterfinal since Maria Bueno 56 years ago.
Her fans were soon urged to reprise their chants of “Ole, ole, ole, ole! Bia, Bia!” during her on-court interview, which momentarily brought on the tears.
“I was trying to hold the emotions in the end of the match, but now I couldn’t,” she said.
“It’s very special for me. Brazil is a big country and I know how many people are cheering for me not only in this stadium but at home and I feel this support. Tennis is improving in Brazil and I’m very happy to be this person who is representing the women’s sport also.”
It was not the first time Haddad Maia’s run had been mentioned against Bueno’s US Open semifinal from 1968.
Last year, she made her mark when she became the first from Brazil since her decorated countrywoman to reach a Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros after she defeated 2022 finalist Ons Jabeur.
It catapulted Haddad Maia into the top 10 for the first time, and it took eventual champion Iga Swiatek to stop her run in Paris.
She is also the first left-handed South American woman in the Open era to reach the quarterfinals in New York.
“The semifinal in the French Open helps to believe, to know that, okay, I already passed through this moment,” Haddad Maia said.
“Is not easy for the tennis players. We know how pressure feels every single match. Doesn't matter if it's quarterfinals or first round. I think not only Roland Garros semifinals but also the other matches that I had in Grand Slams, especially… matches that I lost.
“I felt a lot of pain right after, and I think I learned a lot from these moments. I feel that I have this different experience, and I feel ready for the next quarterfinal.”
Former Brazilian ATP player Andre Sa spoke of the impact Haddad Maia’s semifinal run at Roland Garros had at the time.
Her performance in New York, beamed on televisions across South America in a similar time zone, will only heighten her profile.
“It's a reference that the kids need. It's the same thing that when Guga [Kuerten] was playing well... It makes a big difference to have someone having those kind of results, because it makes you believe you can as well,” Sa told ausopen.com.
LISTEN: Andre Sa on The Sit-Down podcast
“Now the same thing; all kinds of little girls are definitely going to start playing in Brazil, seeing what she's doing here and what she's accomplished. Not only that, but she's a great person. Very easy going, accessible. She's really nice. The family's nice.
“She knows her role as a role model and as an athlete, so she's always available to the kids, she's always being nice to fans. She's a complete package.”
Victory pitted the 22nd seed into a battle with world No.53 Karolina Muchova, a straight-sets victor over Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini.
Haddad Maia is yet to beat the talented Czech in three attempts.
“Muchova is a great player. She's one of the best players in the world,” she said of last year’s semifinalist at Flushing Meadows.
“She moves well, she has good serve, good returns. I know it's going to be a tough battle. Last match we had was a pretty good one also from both sides. It was defined little details.”
While the hopes of a nation remain well afloat, Haddad Maia will draw added inspiration in the face of tragedy after a heartbreaking revelation in her post-match press conference.
“Now my mind is a bit crazy because I just received the news that my physio lost his son,” she said. “So, it's a tough moment for me, but I'm still happy with my win.
“The only thought that I have now that I'm going to fight until the end and try to give everything on court for him. Yeah, and tomorrow I think about the rest of the tournament.”