Paula Badosa’s resurgence in women’s tennis continued at the China Open on Thursday as she defeated Zhang Shuai in a compelling semifinal match, winning 6-1, 7-6 (4). The victory marked a significant milestone for Badosa, as she advanced to the semifinals of the prestigious tournament.
Ranked 19th, Badosa has shown remarkable form in recent months, securing 28 wins in her last 35 matches since May. Her performance has been particularly impressive, reaching the semifinals in three of her last five tournaments. Including a strong showing at the US Open, where she made it to the quarterfinals.
On the other hand, Zhang, a 35-year-old Chinese wild card, entered the tournament looking to break a staggering 24-match losing streak—the second longest in the Open era—and was ranked as low as No. 595. Despite her struggles, she managed to navigate through the earlier rounds without dropping a set.
However, Badosa’s fast start proved too much for Zhang, who struggled to respond to the Spaniard’s aggressive play. Badosa secured three service breaks in the opening set, cruising to a 6-1 victory. The second set proved more competitive, with Badosa initially falling behind 3-1. Demonstrating her resilience, she rallied back to clinch the set in a tiebreak, sealing her spot in the semifinals.
Looking ahead, Badosa is poised to face either No. 6 Coco Gauff or No. 115 Yuliia Starodubtseva. Who were scheduled to play later on Thursday. Gauff advanced to the quarterfinals after Naomi Osaka, a four-time major winner. Was forced to retire due to a lower back injury, with Gauff notably assisting in carrying Osaka’s bags off court.
As Badosa prepares for her next match, the anticipation builds for a potential showdown with Gauff, promising an exciting conclusion to the China Open.
Leave a Reply