The city of Sao Paolo is abuzz with excitement this week as the WTA 250 Sao Paolo Open marks the return of top-tier women’s tennis to Brazil after a 25-year hiatus. Running from September 8 to 14, 2025, the tournament brings together 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams, all vying for glory, ranking points, and a share of the $267,000 prize pool. For Brazilian tennis fans, it’s a long-awaited homecoming—a chance to see their country’s best, including top seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, compete on the international stage.
The anticipation has been building ever since the tournament was announced, with Sao Paolo last hosting the Brasil Open a quarter-century ago. The return of the WTA to Brazil is more than just a sporting event; it’s a celebration of the country’s growing tennis culture and a showcase for emerging stars from South America and beyond. The field is stacked with talent, and the stakes couldn’t be higher, with the winner set to pocket $36,300 and 250 valuable ranking points.
All eyes, naturally, are on Beatriz Haddad Maia, the World No.21 and local favorite, who enters the tournament as the top seed. The Brazilian ace has endured a rough patch lately, with a second-round exit at Wimbledon and early departures from the WTA 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati. Yet, there’s a sense of hope and expectation swirling around her campaign in Sao Paolo. Home support can work wonders, and the crowd’s energy might just be the spark she needs to turn her season around.
“All eyes as expected will be on a certain Beatriz Haddad Maia as she returns back to Brazil to much fanfare,” wrote Samuel Gill, Head Editor of TennisUpToDate.com, capturing the local mood. Still, Gill tipped another rising star—Filipina sensation Alexandra Eala—to make a deep run. Eala, who reached a career-high ranking of World No.56 in June 2025, has been riding a wave of momentum since her stunning semifinal appearance at Indian Wells earlier this year. She’s no stranger to big stages and big moments, and Sao Paolo could be her next breakthrough.
Indeed, Eala already made a strong statement in her opening match, defeating Mansouri in the first round on September 9. The victory not only sets her up for a promising campaign but also reinforces the predictions swirling around her as a favorite to lift the trophy. Eala’s decision to play in Sao Paolo, instead of staying in North America for the depleted WTA 500 events, signals her intent to capitalize on the opportunity and end her season on a high note.
“I see Alexandra Eala continuing her form into Sao Paolo. She won a WTA 125 in Guadalajara but ironically will not stay there despite there being a depleted WTA 500 this next week. She heads to Brazil and opens up against Julia Riera or Vitalia Diatchenko,” Samuel Gill observed, underscoring Eala’s calculated approach to her schedule.
The tournament’s top seeds read like a who’s who of rising women’s tennis stars. Alongside Haddad Maia and Eala, the draw features Hailey Baptiste, Renata Zarazua, and Solana Sierra. Zarazua, the Mexican standout, turned heads at the 2025 Cincinnati Open by pushing former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina to three sets in a thrilling third-round battle. Sierra, from Argentina, rounds out the top five seeds and brings her own brand of clay-court prowess to the mix.
Other notable names in the singles draw include Britain’s Francesca Jones and Jodie Burrage, Australian veteran Ajla Tomljanovic, and French prospect Leolia Jeanjean. The diversity of the field is striking, with players from across the Americas, Europe, and Asia all converging in Sao Paolo, each with their own story and ambitions.
For many, the Sao Paolo Open is more than just another stop on the WTA calendar. It’s a rare chance for South American talent to shine in front of home crowds, with the added incentive of significant ranking points and prize money. The breakdown is straightforward: $3,110 and a single ranking point for making the main draw, $4,470 and 30 points for reaching the round of 16, $6,820 and 54 points for quarterfinalists, $11,970 and 98 points for semifinalists, $21,484 and 163 points for the runner-up, and the aforementioned $36,300 and 250 points for the champion.
It’s a format that rewards consistency and resilience—two qualities that will be tested over the week. The tournament’s timing, immediately following the US Open, adds another layer of intrigue. Players are coming off the season’s final Grand Slam, some riding highs, others searching for redemption. For Haddad Maia, the Sao Paolo Open is a chance to reset in front of a supportive home crowd. For Eala, it’s an opportunity to cement her status as one of the tour’s most exciting young talents.
“Haddad Maia will be one of the favourites though and I also see a steady week for Renata Zarazua in facing BHM in the latter stages while Ajla Tomljanovic in a smaller field is one to look out for,” Gill added, highlighting the depth and unpredictability of the draw.
As the action unfolds, fans are treated to a mix of established contenders and hungry newcomers. The early rounds saw Francesca Jones notch a hard-fought victory over Whitney Osuigwe, while Solana Sierra advanced past Nauhany Vitoria Leme Da Silva. Alexandra Eala’s win over Mansouri further stoked excitement, as did Julia Riera’s clash with Eala in the next round. Every match carries weight—not just for the players’ rankings and bank accounts, but for the narrative of tennis’s return to Brazil.
Beyond the singles competition, the doubles draw also promises fireworks, with 16 teams aiming to etch their names into the tournament’s history books. The energy around the grounds is palpable, with fans eager to witness the next generation of tennis stars and perhaps a few surprises along the way.
Looking ahead, the tournament’s latter stages could see some tantalizing matchups. Haddad Maia, should she find her rhythm, could meet Zarazua in a high-stakes showdown, while Eala’s path remains one to watch closely. Ajla Tomljanovic, with her experience and grit, remains a dark horse in a field brimming with potential.
For now, the story of the Sao Paolo Open is still being written. With the tournament in full swing and several rounds yet to be played, the city’s tennis faithful are soaking in every moment. Whether it’s the roar of the crowd for a local favorite, the emergence of a new star, or the drama of a deciding set, Sao Paolo is once again at the heart of the tennis world.
As the week progresses, fans and players alike can only wonder: Who will rise to the occasion and lift the trophy in this historic return to Brazilian soil? One thing’s for sure—the Sao Paolo Open has already delivered on its promise of world-class tennis and high-octane drama, with plenty more still to come.
