At 14 years old, tennis player from Rio Grande do Norte Victória Barros became this Monday (20) the first Brazilian in history to qualify for the round of 16 of the youth singles draw at the Australian Open, in Melbourne. Number 41 in the youth ranking of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), Victória achieved her second Grand Slam triumph in her career today by beating Serbian Petra Konjikusic (54th) by 2 sets to 1 (partial 4/ 6, 6/3 and 6/4). The Brazilians’ opponent in the round of 16 will be Japanese Shino Tsujioka (82nd in the ranking), aged 18, on a date and time yet to be defined. 
VI(C)TORIA WITH A SMILE ON YOUR FACE! 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
Check out Victoria Barros’ match point in the second round of the Australian Open, in the youth category
🎥 @australianopen pic.twitter.com/eTRVh7ALS0
— CBT (@cbtenis) January 20, 2025
Victória was the only Brazilian to win in the debut of the women’s singles bracket. She surprised Israeli Mika Buchnik, number 20 in the world, with a resounding victory in straight sets (6/3 and 6/2).
At the beginning of 2023, the Brazilian moved to France to train at Mouratoglou’s academy, former coach of multi-champion Swerena Williams. During that year he won the ITF J30 in Limassol and the ITF60 in Lanarca – both in Cyprus – and also the J100 sw Dubrovnik (Croatia). The following year, the native of Rio Grande do Norte was one of 51 tennis players selected by the ITF to receive a grant of R$25,000 (the equivalent of R$151,000) to financially cover the costs of the competitions. Other big names in tennis have already received the scholarship, such as former tennis player Gustavo Kuerten, Tunisian Ons Jabeur, and Norwegian Casper Rud. Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten is also a member of the ITF where stars such as Couco Gauf, Holger Hune and Stefanos Tsitsipas have trained.
Bia Haddad says goodbye to doubles tournament
In the early hours of this Monday (20), Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia and German Laura Siegemund fell in the round of 16 to the seed 2 pair, formed by New Zealander Erin Routliffe and Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski. Considered one of the favorites for the title, the partnership of Routliffe and Dabrowski came out on top by 2 sets to 1, with scores of 7/6(5), 3/6 and 6/4.
Carol Meligeni wins title in Buenos Aires
Carol Meligeni from São Paulo started 2025 on the right foot, winning her first competition of the season on clay courts. Number 304 in the world, Carol won the ITF W35 title in Buenos Aires, defeating host Jazmim Ortezi (255th) in the final by 2 sets to 0 (6/2 and 6/4). This was the eighth title in Carol’s career, who was part of the Brazilian team qualified for the qualifier of the Billie Jean King Cup, the main women’s competition between nations, in April this year.
