Paula Badosa produced a dominant performance to claim her first win over a top 10 player this season at the China Open.
The Spanish world No.19 dropped only four games during her 6-4, 6-0, triumph over second seed Jessica Pegula who she had never beaten on the Tour until this week. Badosa won 18 out of her 19 first service points and broke her rival five times. It is the first time she has beaten somebody currently ranked in the top 10 since the 2023 Italian Open when she upset Ons Jabeur.
“She’s one the of the players I never want to face — she’s very solid, hits very flat, changes very well direction, so I knew it was going to be tough,” Badosa said after beating Pegula. “Yesterday I prepared myself for a battle, but I think today everything worked pretty well.
“I was moving well, my backhand, my forehand was there today, and I fought. Every point was very important for me, especially against Jessica, because she can come back at any moment; I’m really happy for this win, honestly.”
Badosa, who has been ranked as high as No.2 in the world, is enjoying a surge in form in recent months. She has reached the quarter-finals or better in four out of her last five tournaments played, as well as the fourth round at Wimbledon. The triumph comes after a lengthy battle with a long-term back injury that she continues to manage until the present day.
In Beijing, the 15th seed has yet to drop a set in three matches played. It is the first time she has played in the main draw of the China Open at the age of 26. She is the first player from her country to reach the last eight of the women’s draw since Garbine Muguruza in 2015.
“It’s my first time here in the main draw, and it’s very special for me,” Badosa said. “It means a lot to me, coming here inChina, the end of the season, I’m playing really well.
“[Beating] a Top 10 player, I was chasing that result, so I’m really happy to be in the quarterfinals again, with another opportunity to be better in the next match.”
In the quarter-finals, she will take on Zhang Shuai who is having a fairytale run at the tournament. Zhang, who was on a 24-match losing streak coming into the tournament, beat 23rd seed Magdalena Frcch 6-4, 6-2, in her latest match.
“I really never think about the next match. Winning one was enough for me,” said Zhang.
“In this draw, everyone has a higher ranking than me. When you are barefoot, you have nothing to lose. Just step on court, just play. So I do not have much to think about, to prepare. I will just focus on myself.
