BarcelonaTennis player Paula Badosa has caressed the glory of Indian Wells by defeating this Friday (Saturday morning, Catalan time) in the semifinals the Tunisian Ons Jabeur (double 6-3 in 1 hour and 21 minutes), and will play this Sunday the final of the Californian tournament against Belarusian Victoria Azarenka. The Empordà native may become the first Catalan to win what is known as the fifth Grand Slam.
Despite the clear and resounding result of this morning in the semifinals, Badosa suffered to put the icing on the cake, as he could not settle it until his sixth game ball. The 23-year-old and No. 27 in the WTA rankings, Badosa has had a sensational 2021 that is culminating in an impressive performance at Indian Wells.
This was the first time Badosa played in the main draw of the California tournament, and he has completed a splendid run to the final as he has only lost one set so far. Along the way he has defeated very pedigree rivals such as the German Angelique Kerber (winner of three Grand Slams and former world number 1) or the Czech Barbora Krejcíková (third seed of Indian Wells and number 5 in the ranking today ).
His big step through Indian Wells, in which he has shown solidity and force in the game, could also open the doors to the WTA Finals in Guadalajara (Mexico), where the eight best tennis players in the world will face each other. “The truth is, it’s an amazing thing. When I got here I didn’t expect it at all. I knew I was playing well, I was having a good year, but reaching a Masters 1000 final just a few months ago was something unthinkable for me, ”he said.
Azarenka is a veteran player with a good record: champion of two Australian Open (2012 and 2013). He became number 1 in the world rankings in 2012 and has a total of 21 titles on the professional circuit. “I expect a very hard match. She is a champion. She has been in many Masters 1000 and Grand Slams finals. She knows what it’s like to compete in a final, and for me this will be the first time in a Masters 1000,” he said. the Catalan tennis player.
.
