The Spanish has taken a very tough duel against Bencic. Badosa has managed to recover when she seemed exhausted (7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-3). In the semifinals, Kasatkina awaits, who has just overtaken Muguruza on the fast track.
Paula Badosa played a great last game in Sydney against local Tomljanovic. This time he had to measure himself for a place in the semifinals against Belinda Bencic. The Swiss had many problems to overcome the French Dodin. In the face to face both had met twice in 2021 and the two wins went to Paula.
A very tough first manga
Badosa started very fast with her legs and with a lot of concentration. The first problems came to the service for Bencic and is that the Helvetian was suffering against a rival who was making few mistakes at the start of the game. Paula broke in the eighth game staying very close to the first set. Bencic showed all his capabilities to the rest to cut distances and put the 5-4. The pressure continued in the Helvetian that with his service was going to be at the limit when he conceded a set ball to the Spanish. Bencic saved her and put the tables on the scoreboard.
More of the same happened in the twelfth game when Bencic served to force a tie break. Badosa had up to four more set balls, but did not close the game in any and finally they went to sudden death. The tie break was even but it was Badosa who had another two set balls and finally ends up taking a first set that was complicated despite all the opportunities he had to finish it much earlier.
The mental power of Badosa
Bencic seemed determined to go for the comeback. Badosa was not comfortable and looked somewhat tired physically and mentally. Paula suffered as her rival got a break to put the 3-1 in her favor. Badosa took out his claw and was able to make it 3-2 with a counterbreak that brought him back on the scoreboard. The problem is that he lost his serve again and already Bencic if he confirmed the break by putting the 5-2 and staying at the gates of forcing the final set. The Swiss went to more and forced the last set.
Badosa seemed to be a little more tired both mentally and physically. The positive thing for her is that she started serving and that way she could take the initiative. That was what he did and passed the pressure to the other side. Bencic began suffering a lot and had to save three break balls. He succeeded and put the tables again. Badosa dominated with her forehand and alternated successes with errors, the same as the Swiss, although she was more inspired with the leaves and the backhand. With the 5-3 Badosa served to win the match. Then it was 0-40 but the serves saved Paula. Finally the match ball arrived and the Spanish celebrated the victory with great anger.
