Paula Badosa is making waves at the China Open after securing two significant victories. She started her tournament by defeating second seed Jessica Pegula, winning 6-4, 6-0. This match was a big moment for Badosa as it marked her first win against a top-five player since 2022.
Badosa(currently at 19th place on WTA) fell behind 3-1 in the first set against Pegula but quickly turned the match around. She won 11 of the next 12 games, demonstrating her ability to fight back. After the match, Badosa acknowledged the challenge Pegula posed, saying, “She is one of the players I never want to face. She is very solid and hits very flat, so I knew it was going to be tough.”
In the quarterfinals, Badosa faced Zhang Shuai and continued her strong performance, winning 6-1, 7-6. She took control early, winning the first set with ease. In the second set, Zhang put up a fight, pushing the match to a tiebreak. Badosa managed to hold her nerve and secured the victory.
Badosa’s recent wins position her as a serious contender for the China Open title. She now looks ahead to the semifinals, where she will face either Coco Gauff or Yulia Starodubtseva. With her current form, fans are eager to see how far Badosa can go in this tournament.