The feeling of Paula Badosa It lasted a short while. He knelt on the floor for a few seconds. There were knowing glances at his coach, Pol Toledo. His face shows a mixture of disbelief but at the same time pride and relief. The reward for the work done, for the accumulated efforts. In the more distant past, depression arose from anxiety about not achieving the dreams that had been formed since childhood. He reached the elite, a back injury forced him down, putting his back on the brink of the point of no return. He refused.
Passion for tennis as a recipe for all evil. “My dream is to win a Grand Slam,” he repeated Paula Badosa, 27 years old. ‘Third time was the charm,’ he signed to the television camera. Did not get past the quarterfinals of Roland Garros 2021 and US Open 2024. First Grand Slam semifinals. A conquest, not the definitive one. He wants more. “I won’t feel free until the tournament is over,” he said in response to such celebrations and in explanation of the pressure he must face every day. “My personality, my character. “I want to win so there is pressure.”
This will be one of the factors that will need to be controlled to fight for a place in the Melbourne final, as they have done in their time. Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (1994 and 1995), Conchita Martínez (1998) and Garbiñe Muguruza (2020).
The challenge is big this Thursday morning, at 9:30 am (Eurosport). In front, one of his best friends, as well as one of the worst rivals in this situation. The Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka26 years old, the number one in the world. And, above all, the two-time champion of the Australian Open, where he has 19 consecutive victories, the same number of consecutive Grand Slam victories, since he won the last US Open. A machine that produces power with his punches, he is unbeaten this season after ten games. since he launched the campaign, won the Brisbane WTA.
Double Fight for world ranking
Today’s women’s semifinals have a direct impact on rankings, in a double sense. Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka will hand over world number 1 to Polish Iga Swiatek if she has a worse result. Paula Badosa, back in the top-10, which she has not occupied since October 2022, will get the ninth place if she surpasses or does the same as the American Madison Keys, currently tenth
The statistical balance details Sabalenka dominating Badosa 5-2, winning the last five matches. Although the woman from Girona, who was born by accident in New York, has never shown a point of maturity like the present. As Aryna herself says, “she’s been through a lot,” and that’s what made her stronger. “I think almost all of us learn from sticks and I already got a huge stick at the US Open,” recalled the woman from Begur, who immediately found the opportunity she promised to have in time to do more great
You’ve taken another step. And “I really want to play against Aryna, who shows why she is number one, who is very consistent, aggressive and very intense.” Sabalenka is also attracted to this confrontation against a Badosa who is “in the best condition.”
The Belarusian promised to be “aggressive.” The Spaniard has shown plenty of balance in recent rounds, capable of dominating but also defending. Serving will be decisive, as both will want to rule the court from it.
A huge challenge for Paula Badosa, although she is ready for it. It would be madness to beat Sabalenka ‘at home’, to spoil the prediction.
Even the trophy will continue to be complicated. The other place in the final will be decided by the Polish Iga Swiatekfavorite in his fight with the American Madison Keys.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
