Definitely, 2022 does not try Paula Badosa. Irregular throughout the year, the negative inertia has been sustained in recent months and the recent elimination at the US Open is accompanied by a new blow. The debut at the WTA 500 in Tokyo was rather bitter, with a defeat against the Chinese Qinwen Zheng, number 36 in the world. Another step back from the Empordà region, which has almost impossible access to the Masters in November and which has not found its best tennis for a long time, nor has it been accompanied by good results.
Still fourth in the WTA rankings, this classification does not correspond to the most recent sensations. It’s been 20 days since he confirmed that things don’t go his way in a Grand Slam at Badosa and today he slipped again. She was the top seed in Tokyo, but is heading home much earlier than expected. And that has started with strength and authority. He managed to take a 3-1 lead in a three and nothing, then let himself go and be completely outdone by her rival. Zheng, much more focused, has recovered from this slow start and has revived. The first set ended with a score of 3-6.
The trend has not changed in the second. It has rather been accentuated. The Chinese, on the first match ball she had within reach, finished the job. A 2-6 to close the duel, which lasted one hour and 18 minutes. Badosa, unable to react, has closed its participation in the tournament in the first round.
