Olympic, Pan American, and Paralympic Games

Brazil’s Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos Reach Final at French Open Mixed Doubles 2025

The Brazilian tennis duo Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos have made headlines once again by advancing to the final of the Mixed Doubles at the 2025 French Open (Roland Garros), played in Paris. The pair, who previously claimed the Australian Open title in 2023, have re-established themselves as one of the top mixed doubles teams in the world.

Their run at Roland Garros has captured the attention of fans and analysts, with aggressive net play, strong baseline consistency, and seamless communication making them a standout team on clay.

Road to the Final

Stefani and Matos entered the tournament as the No. 5 seeds and worked their way through a challenging draw:

  • Round 1: Defeated Mertens/Gonzalez (BEL/MEX) – 6-4, 7-5
  • Round 2: Defeated Zhang/Lammons (CHN/USA) – 6-3, 6-7(4), 10-7
  • Quarterfinal: Beat Haddad Maia/Koolhof (BRA/NED) – 7-6(5), 6-4
  • Semifinal: Defeated Dabrowski/Ebden (CAN/AUS) – 4-6, 6-3, 10-8

Each match showcased their mental resilience, particularly in the super tiebreaks where their chemistry and tactical awareness were critical.

A Balanced Brazilian Duo

⭐ Luisa Stefani

A doubles specialist with a strong serve, sharp volleys, and solid clay court movement. Stefani has bounced back after a serious knee injury in 2022 and has since reached multiple WTA finals.

⭐ Rafael Matos

A left-handed doubles expert with exceptional placement on serve and return. Matos complements Stefani’s game perfectly with strong court coverage and a calm demeanor under pressure.

Together, they mix power and finesse, using cross-court formations and aggressive poaching strategies to disrupt opponents.

Coach Carlos Eduardo stated:

“They play like they’ve known each other for years. Their trust and court instincts are rare—even at Grand Slam level.”

Grand Slam History and Momentum

Stefani and Matos became the first all-Brazilian team to win a Grand Slam title when they triumphed at the Australian Open 2023. Their continued success highlights Brazil’s growing presence in international tennis, especially in doubles formats.

They are the first Brazilian pair to reach the Roland Garros mixed doubles final since Maria Esther Bueno in the 1960s—a sign of generational growth in the sport.

Support from the Brazilian Tennis Federation

The Confederação Brasileira de Tênis (CBT) has ramped up its investment in doubles teams since 2020, including:

  • Access to top-tier training camps in Spain and Florida
  • Psychological and tactical support teams
  • A dedicated doubles development program for junior athletes

This support has been pivotal in helping Brazilian players compete consistently on the ATP and WTA circuits.

Final Showdown Awaits

In the final, Stefani and Matos will face the No. 2 seeded team of Desirae Krawczyk (USA) and Neal Skupski (GBR)—a pairing known for dominant net play and defensive depth.

It’s expected to be a clash of styles: Brazilian attacking flair vs. Anglo-American baseline control.

The match is scheduled for June 7, 2025, at Court Philippe-Chatrier, and is expected to draw a large international audience.

Conclusion: A Grand Stage for Brazilian Tennis

Win or lose in the final, Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos have already written another proud chapter for Brazil in tennis history. Their run in Paris underscores the rise of Brazilian doubles tennis and shows what can be achieved with synergy, strategy, and heart.

Deixe um comentário

O seu endereço de e-mail não será publicado. Campos obrigatórios são marcados com *