Paula Badosa, Qualified for the quarterfinals of the United States Open, he boasted this Sunday of the amazing recovery he is making to reach a level he has not reached since 2021 and the beginning of 2022, when he was number 2 in the world ranking.
“I don’t like to compare: they are different Paulas. The tennis that existed in 2021 for me is quite different from what it is today: now everything is more aggressive, faster. At that time it was probably a bit more physical, I could play a little more tactical. People don’t know me either, I’m more surprising, they know less about how to hurt me,” he reflected in a press conference.
“Now they know me better. It’s totally different. But maybe mentally and in terms of maturity, experience, now I’m totally different and I manage things much better than in 2021. That’s clear. As a style of play, I like the Paula of now better (…).
World number 29, Badosa defeated China’s Yafan Wang, who is ranked 80th in the WTA, this Sunday in the round of 16, 6-1 and 6-2 in one hour and 22 minutes.
The Catalan equaled his best result in a ‘grand slam’ (quarterfinals of Roland Garros in 2021) and she will face an American for a place in the semifinals of Flushing Meadows: the winner of the duel between Coco Gauff, third in the ranking and current champion of the tournament, and Emma Navarro, twelfth in the world.
“I am very proud of myself, to be able to return to what I was in 2021, to be among the best in the world. Obviously I still have little steps to take but I think I’m on the right path (.. . ).It’s only the second time I’ve been in the quarterfinals (on a ‘big’ team, that’s a great sign too).
After a fantastic hard court tour in North America (champion at the WTA 500 in Washington and semifinalist at the WTA 1,000 in Cincinnati), Badosa considered the “most complicated part” of the match against Wang to be managing the expectations of her role as the favorite against in Asian.
“There were a lot of times that I didn’t deal well because I lost several times in the round of 16 so I’m a little nervous now,” she admitted.
“But I managed it well and dealt with the pressure and nerves quite well. It was very aggressive. I think the forehand worked really well and also the serve,” he added.
Finally, Badass He said he was delighted to debut in the quarterfinals at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis court in the world, and to do so in front of an American tennis player with the local public on his side.
“They won’t encourage me, come on, let’s be honest…” he joked referring to the fact that he was born in New York.
“I will play against an American and the public will cheer her on, I totally understand it (…). I think that gives me strength, it doesn’t scare me at all. On the contrary: I really want this challenge ,” he concluded.
Source: La Verdad
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