WTA | Badosa achieves the first victory of his career at Mutua

Paula Badosa added another milestone in her flourishing career on Thursday by achieving her first win at the Mutua Madrid Open, against the Czech Barbora Krejcikova. The Spanish, who had lost twice in the first round (against Errani in 2015 and against Cornet in 2016, both times by withdrawal), won by 6-1 and 7-5 in 76 minutes and will face the Swiss Jill Teichmann on Saturday, who surprised the fourth seed, Elina Svitolina.

Badosa was left at the gates of the main draw of the Spanish WTA 1,000 in 2017 and 2018 and could not participate in 2019. This year he removed the thorn with a convincing and worked victory on the court Arantxa Sánchez Vicario against the world number 39, who treasures more successes as a doubles player than as a singles player but who has the class and talent typical of the great Czech school . They had never faced and Paula imposed her best moment of form, evidenced by that prestigious victory against the number one in the world, Ashleigh Barty, a few weeks ago in Charleston.

Very confident with her serve, especially in the first set where she did not concede any break, Badosa controlled the match and he knew how to wait his moment in the second sleeve to avoid that his rival equalized. A break to get 6-5 and serve left him on a tray a triumph that did not escape him and that allows him to momentarily gain three places in the ranking, up to 59th, the best of his career.

“I really want to do it right”

“I don't know if he had a thorn, I think he did. But he didn't take it with much anxiety about having to win and having to win. I have taken it as one more game or so I have tried but in the end Madrid is very special. The public clothes and it is difficult not to get goose bumps. It's a very different feeling this week. I really want to do it right “Paula said after the game. “The happiest I am is that I have managed to manage all that and the pressure well. I was very nervous, I wanted to do everything well and in the end it came out, “she added.” We have known each other for a long time and she is very talented. He played very well and saved a very tough game. To beat Svitolina you have to have a high level and I will try to recover well and be well for that duel “, said the Catalan about her next rival.

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