Paula Badosa took this Wednesday in Charleston (USA) a step forward in her career by adding her first victory against a top-20. The Spanish won in three sets (6-2, 6-7 (2) and 6-1) to the number 12 in the world and finalist of the US Open 2019, Belinda Bencic, and qualified for the round of 16 of the Volvo Car Open, a round in which will face the American McNally, which surprised the Latvian Sevastova (7-6 (3), 2-6 and 6-4).
Badosa played with power and positioning against the 24-year-old Swiss, champion of the junior tournament at Roland Garros in 2013, like the Catalan, who was in 2015. He varied directions and made a rival he had never faced run a lot and that he did not find answers in a first set that started with the loss of his serve and in which he had no option to break Paula's. She is not at her best, but that does not detract from what the new world number 71 did.
The second round was another story and Badosa showed personality by not sinking despite starting it 0-3 against. He scored five games in a row and he even had two match points at 5-4. Then he pulled out to win and because of a somewhat absurd error when invading the track of his rival with the racket to hit a ball that was not going to enter, he lost his serve and had to row against the current again. He was subtracting very well, scoring winners, forceful, and recovered the break before serving again to try to fasten a win that was made to wait until the third set because of another break and an unwanted and badly played tiebreaker. Nobody said that victory against a top was going to be easy.
Great third set
Although it is certain that the Catalan born in New York would have signed a third set like the one she played, with a devastating 5-0 start., which was about to become a donut. Badosa refined with the serve that had given him direct points (11) and also headaches (10 double faults) and continued with his pressure when subtracting, until the point of twitching a Bencic who furiously threw a racket against the gray land, green for some, of Charleston. “I was very nervous because I knew it could be a great victory for me.”, the winner recognized after taking advantage of her fifth match ball. “I am very happy for the game. It was tough, especially mentally. By winning for the first time a player who is number 12 it has been difficult for me to close it. Being able to compose myself in the third set and maintain that level makes me very happy. Winning a player with such good achievements and such a good career gives me a lot of confidence to move forward and continue to believe in myself “he added. Her feat has a prize in the ranking by advancing a position, to 70. Another triumph would boost her to 64.
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