The tennis season started soulless, with the empty stands in the WTA Abu Dhabi tournament because of the pandemic. But the intensity and desire were put on the court by the players on a first day that left the triumph of Paula Badosa in the individual box. The Spanish complicated a match that she had on track in the second set, but she knew how to react in time to beat a Anastasija Sevastova come to less, which years ago became the 11th in the ranking. After 1:52 of an unprecedented battle between the two, Paula won by 6-2, 5-7 and 6-2.
Paula had clear ideas from the beginning and kept her game scheme. With great solidity in the backcourt, she took advantage of the continuous errors of Sevastova, much more imprecise and hasty in her strokes. After pushing with break options in the opening games, the Spanish managed the break to go 3-1 up, although the Latvian immediately returned the break. That's where the set died. Badosa was not surprised a second time and gained an advantage that he would not let slip with a second break. After consolidating it with his serve, he closed the first set on the fast track from the rest (2-6).
That last break allowed him to start the second set with his serve, something usually decisive in tennis, although not so much in the women's circuit. Paula signed her fourth game in a row to start commanding the set, but the forces were suddenly equalized. Sevastova broke the rhythm of the Spanish based on drops and balloons until she had a chance to get 2-1 up with a break in favor in the third game. Paula knew how to suffer and showed off her quick legs to resist and maintain her serve, however, she lost confidence. His level dropped notably as he became entangled with first serves and unforced errors, Some doubts that the Latvian took advantage of to equalize the contest (7-5).
The third set was presented with an uncertain outcome amid so much lack of consistency, also understandable considering that it is the first game of the year. Faced with such a panorama, it only remained to see who would make the least mistake to win the victory, and there the The balance definitely leaned towards the Spanish side with the break of the sixth game. The next stop for Badosa will depart from duel between Elise Mertens and Alize Cornet. Whatever happens, at least the first contact with the competition will have been positive.
Abu Dhabi WTA 500 results.