Paula Badosa26 years old and world No. 29, survived the US Open thanks to a strong comeback against the Romanian Elena-Gabriela Rusea trap rival that he defeated in Dubai 2022. The Spaniard, who felt that he was a favorite, as then, almost repeated that bad experience, but this was his most golden summer, and he will be able to continue to show it in New York, the city that saw him grow up.
“Do what got you here, shoot, shoot,” his coach kept asking him, Pol Toledo, when the match entered the dramatic phase. The coach wants to see the competition of Badosa, which depends on himself, not allowing himself to be dragged by the dynamics of the rival.
Badosa has half a leg, when it’s 4-5 and match point against the third set. He solved it with a rare first serve. At the most opportune moment, when he was suffering because he was not getting that service that was giving him so much.
Great reaction, he raised his fist to the sky as he signed the score 5-5. He avoided the TKO, the suffering would continue. He had 6-5 and a serve to finish in his favor, but the rival always competes above a deceptive ranking (122nd), at maximum risk with deep and powerful blows. Badass suffered a ‘break’ (6-6).
One-card resolution in super tiebreak, best of ten points. And Badosa’s age was reflected in the field, the Louis Armstrong Stadium. He went through very low moments, he mentally fought against many ghosts, but he also overcame a serious back injury that continues to be a threat because there is no complete cure. Some doctors even decide to withdraw. He refused to stop fighting.
He has recharged his batteries, and if his physique is any help, his tennis is still world-class. He proved his status as such, ending his long-suffering classification by 4-6, 6-1 and 7-6 (10-8) in 2h.32′.
In the round of 16, equaling his results at the Australian Open 2022 and Wimbledon 2024. Approaching the quarterfinals he did at Roland Garros 2021, on his return to the world top-20. He will find it against the best clash between his Ukrainian friend Victoria Azarenka and china Yafan Wang.
Badosa struggled, but the Washington champion and semifinalist in Cincinnati won his thirteenth match in fifteen matches on this North American tour that continues to promise emotions to the tennis player from Begur.
Losing a match point gives more energy for what happens next. Friday is not over for him, he will make his mixed doubles debut with his Greek partner Stefanos Tsitsipasafter some time. “He had to do it all by himself,” Badosa joked.
“I was mentally devastated with match point against, you helped me a lot,” Badosa addressed the audience.
Source: La Verdad
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