Badosa clashes in the 2nd round against a champion version of Halep

In his first contest as the new World No. 2, Paula Badosasemifinalist last year, was fired in the 2nd round of WTA 1,000 in the land of Mutua Madrid is open then fall into a champion version of Simona Halep (6-3, 6-1), which maintains a certain idyll at the Madrid event, where he won two titles (2016, 2017) and played two more finals (2014, 2019).

Then send great sensations to his debut battles Veronika Kudermetova (6-3, 6-0), Badosa, in the middle of the second set, sought medical help when he felt discomfort in his right shoulder, but before and after controlling the match always interacted with the Romanian tennis player, former world number 1. and winner of two grand slam, Roland Garros’2018 Y Wimbledon’2019.

Success for 🇷🇴@Simona_Halep! (6-3, 6-1) #TenisRTVE30A

⁇@paulabadosa he suffered badly on his right shoulder but gave everything he had

🎾Halep’s good fight that prevented the second Spanish tennis player from #MMOPENhttps://t.co/lCtZdeZMBa pic.twitter.com/MfpiqYed4l

– Telesport (@telesport) April 30, 2022

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Has been sidelined due to leg injury since beating on Iga Swiatek in the semifinals of Indian WellsHalep reappears on the circuit immediately showing that he is ready to perform at a very high level in Madrid: in the round of 16 he will measure the forces against the winner of the match between Coco Gauff and Yulia Putintseva.

Halep showed at the start that his punches, his legs and his head were perfectly aligned to ask for the maximum from Badosa, who debuted a new best ranking this week after a very consistent 2022 dotted with the first title on sydney or the recent semifinals of stuttgart.

A player who is more comfortable leading rallies herself, Paula noticed that the Romanian generally dominates the exchanges, which gradually weakens her confidence.

Halep broke his serve in the first game and lifted 0-40 in his first service turn (2-0), but Badosa still had the momentum and victory to reverse the situation and linked three consecutive games to reposition. himself on the contrary (2-3).

Simona didn’t budge and began her demolition exercise there, slow but unstoppable against a Badosa who had no spark the other time despite a dedicated fandom from the stands. The Romanian scored the first set in 43 minutes 6-3 and started the second with the same winning momentum (3-0).

Badosa then requested the intervention of a physiotherapist for some discomfort in his right shoulder, but Halep continued the games, nine in a row in total, from 2-3 against 6-3 and 5-0 in favor. The Catalan saved two ‘match-balls’ and the ‘donut’ there, but the Romanian closed out a victory (6-1) supporting his candidacy for a third title in Madrid.

Halep, 30 years old and currently world number 21, played in Madrid for the first time as a new disciple of Patrick Mouratoglouthe coach of another former No. 1, Serena Williamsone of the best tennis players in history and holder of 23 Grand Slam titles.

Due to injuries, the Romanian fell to the top-10 last year after six consecutive seasons in the elite tennis group and he even thought maybe he should retire.

“Last year’s injury made me feel that by stopping for four months, I won’t be able to pick up the speed. I’m 30 years old and I always thought at this age that would be difficult. I had this in mind, Hindi I know why, “Halep said.

“I’ve lost a few games and my injury hasn’t been easy, in Australia, as well as in Indian Wells, so I doubt myself, if I can even hold my body to the highest level in tennis. Probably I was about to quit because ‘I don’t have the strength and confidence that I can still play at the highest level,” the former No. 1.

His performance against Badosa shows his full recovery and the serious threat he will pose to any rival in big events.