Sky Sports tennis pundit inspired US Open star to thrilling win vs Brit

Beatriz Haddad Maia claimed Laura Robson and the "loud" Brazilian crowd inspired her to beat cramp and Sonay Kartal at the US Open. The No.18 seed suffered cramping in her left hamstring in the final set battle against the British No.3 at Flushing Meadows.

But when she went to her courtside towel, she told the courtside Sky Sports presenter: "I love this sport." Brighton-based Kartal also suffered from cramp and both players were struggling to reach and hit the ball at one stage during the final set. The Brazilian recovered to win a rollercoaster encounter 6-3 1-6 6-1 on Court 12. "We have to play against ourselves," she said. "It was an inner fight for me - and I am happy that I improved by the end of the set. I knew she was hurt - it is not easy to play in this situation."

Haddad Maia then revealed Robson holds a special place in her career as her victory over the former British No.1 at Wimbledon in 2017 was her first in a Grand Slam - and the first for a Brazilian woman in SW19 for 28 years.

"When things are happening, you are not really under control," she laughed. "I was grabbing the towel and I can't really explain what we feel on court. I think only tennis players can understand that. It is a very special moment.

"I am a person who really likes these tough battles and I try to do my best. It is important sometimes to find a way to win when you are not playing your best tennis.

"I think I said: 'I love tennis' because we all work very hard to be in these situations to give 100 per cent in the moment. I remember that I played her (Robson) - she was the first match that I won in a Grand Slam in my career. When I look at her, I am very grateful. She is a very nice person."

World No.51 Kartal, who reached the Wimbledon fourth round this year, was less grateful for the football-style Brazilian support for her opponent. "They were pretty nuts at times," she complained. "It was rowdy. There were times they were maybe a little bit unfair towards me and a bit disrespectful.

"There's tennis etiquette. Like if you double fault, you're not going to start cheering and chanting her name and things like that. Or if I miss a bounce smash on top of the net because the sun's kind of blinding me, they're going to scream and stuff. It was just the little things like that."

But Sao Paolo fan Haddad Maia said: "Brazilians are very special, loud, warm. They like to make some noise. They are supporting a lot of Brazilians, especially Joao (Fonseca) now. It is very nice to see more people coming to watch tennis. It was great. I feel happy. It is an honour to represent them so I was trying to play my best for them."