Tennis

Who's Badosa's Bestie? Sabalenka and Jabeur Put Friendship to the TestAt the ecotrans Ladies Open in Berlin, the close-knit trio of Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur, and Paula Badosa have been the talk of the tournament, with their playful banter and affectionate interactions. The question on everyone's mind: who is Badosa's true bestie?Sabalenka and Badosa have long been inseparable, sharing a love for fashion and a deep connection on and off the court. However, this season, Jabeur has emerged as a formidable contender for Badosa's affections. In Rome, Sabalenka jokingly dubbed Jabeur her "bestie," while Jabeur playfully described herself as a "psychologist" between the two.To settle the debate once and for all, the WTA 500 grass-court event decided to put Sabalenka and Jabeur to the test with a quiz about Badosa's favorite things. The results were mixed, with Sabalenka initially joking that she was withdrawing from the tournament.Neither player could recall Badosa's favorite TV show, but both correctly guessed her favorite shot (forehand). Sabalenka, known for her fiery personality, couldn't resist a playful jab, saying, "We're not talking about tennis! I'm not asking Paula, 'Oh, girl, what's your favorite shot?'"Despite their competitive nature on the court, Sabalenka and Jabeur couldn't help but make light of the situation. When asked about Badosa's type of guy, Sabalenka quipped, "I mean, obviously Greek," referring to Badosa's boyfriend, Juan Betancourt.The quiz may not have definitively answered the question of who is Badosa's true bestie, but it did highlight the playful and affectionate bond between the trio. As the tournament progresses, the battle for Badosa's heart will undoubtedly continue, with Sabalenka and Jabeur vying for the coveted title.

Roland Garros: Badosa and Sabalenka Set for Intriguing ClashOn Saturday, June 1, the Roland Garros stage will witness a captivating encounter between two close friends and formidable tennis stars: Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka. This highly anticipated match promises to be a thrilling battle on the clay courts of Paris.Badosa, the world No. 4, has been in impressive form this season, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open and winning the Sydney International. Her clay-court prowess is undeniable, with a career win percentage of nearly 70% on the surface. Her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play make her a formidable opponent.Sabalenka, the world No. 2, is known for her explosive power and relentless intensity. She is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist and has won 10 WTA titles. Her dominance on hard courts is well-documented, but she has also shown her capabilities on clay, reaching the semifinals of the Madrid Open in 2021.The history between these two players adds an intriguing layer to this matchup. They have faced each other three times on clay, with each match going over 19.5 games. In their most recent encounter in Stuttgart, Badosa pushed Sabalenka to the limit before retiring due to injury.Despite Sabalenka's status as the favorite, Badosa's fighting spirit and clay-court expertise make her a dangerous opponent. Her ability to move well on the terre battue and her powerful groundstrokes could pose a significant challenge to Sabalenka.The Over 19.5 Games bet at -138 odds presents an attractive opportunity for bettors. Given the history between these players and the likelihood of a competitive match, the Over seems like a solid pick.

Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa, both 26-year-old rising stars in the tennis world, are set to face off in a highly anticipated match at the French Open. The two have a close friendship and a competitive rivalry, having played six times since 2021. Sabalenka holds a 4-2 advantage in their head-to-head record, including three victories in Stuttgart.On clay, Sabalenka has been dominant, winning all three of their encounters in Stuttgart. However, Badosa has shown resilience on the surface, pushing Sabalenka to the limit in each match. The Spaniard will be looking to break her losing streak against Sabalenka and prove her mettle on the Grand Slam stage.Sabalenka, known for her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes, has been in impressive form this season. She has reached the semifinals or better in every Grand Slam since 2022, showcasing her consistency and mental fortitude. Badosa, on the other hand, is still recovering from a two-year injury slump. She has shown signs of improvement this week, winning two close three-setters.In another intriguing matchup, Madison Keys will take on Emma Navarro. Keys has been in excellent form on clay this season, reaching the semifinals in Madrid and the quarterfinals in Rome. She also won a title in Strasbourg last week. Navarro, a rising star, has also impressed, reaching the final of a Roland Garros tune-up event in Paris and winning her first two rounds at the French Open.Keys and Navarro have played twice before, with each player winning once. Keys will be favored in this match due to her experience and recent form. However, Navarro has shown that she is capable of upsetting higher-ranked opponents.Finally, Novak Djokovic will face Lorenzo Musetti in a highly anticipated night session match. The two have a history of memorable encounters, with Musetti famously defeating Djokovic in Monte Carlo last year. Djokovic, however, reversed that result in their most recent meeting.Djokovic is the clear favorite in this match, but Musetti has the potential to cause an upset if he can generate early momentum and play to his strengths. The crowd will likely be behind Musetti, which could add to the pressure on Djokovic.

Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa, the "Sabadosa" duo, are set to face off for the third time in 2024 at Roland Garros. Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, has expressed her admiration for Badosa, calling her a "great fighter" and a "tour soulmate."Despite her aversion to watching women's tennis, Sabalenka has made an exception for Badosa, who has twice faced her this season. In Miami, Sabalenka was playing her first match after the tragic loss of her ex-partner, while in Stuttgart, Badosa nearly upset Sabalenka before suffering an injury.Badosa, who has been struggling with chronic back issues, is excited to face Sabalenka again. She believes the match will be a "fun" and "great battle." Sabalenka, for her part, agrees that it will be a tough match but is confident in her ability to separate court and life.The "Sabadosa" friendship began at the Tie Break Tens event in 2022 and has blossomed since then. Sabalenka credits the relationship with helping her mature as a person and competitor. She believes that the top players on the WTA Tour are now more friendly off the court, despite being fierce opponents on it.Sabalenka has been in impressive form on clay this season, losing only to Iga Swiatek in her last two tournaments. Badosa has had a tougher time but has shown resilience in both of her matches at Roland Garros.The match between Sabalenka and Badosa is sure to be a highlight of the tournament. The two friends will put their friendship aside for a competitive battle on the court, but their bond will remain strong off it.

Grand Slam Showdown: Sabalenka, Badosa, Osaka, Svitolina, Medvedev Headline Friday's MatchesFriday's Grand Slam action promises thrilling encounters as close friends Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa face off, while former world No. 1s Naomi Osaka and Elina Svitolina clash in a battle of experience. Defending champion Daniil Medvedev also takes to the court against Marton Fucsovics.Sabalenka vs. Badosa: A Clash of Close FriendsSabalenka and Badosa, tied at 2-2 in their head-to-head record, will meet for the fifth time in their careers. Sabalenka has gained momentum in recent years, while Badosa has faced injuries and is seeking to rediscover her form. Despite the competitive nature of the match, their friendship will prevail regardless of the outcome.Osaka vs. Svitolina: A Battle of VeteransOsaka and Svitolina, both mothers, bring maturity and experience to their match. Osaka is gradually regaining her form after a break from the tour, while Svitolina has quickly returned to the Top 20 after her own hiatus. Their even head-to-head record suggests a close battle, with Svitolina's aggressive baseline game posing a challenge to Osaka's precise shot selection.Medvedev vs. Fucsovics: Medvedev Seeks Title DefenseMedvedev, the defending champion, faces Fucsovics, who has yet to make a significant breakthrough on tour. Medvedev holds a 3-1 advantage in their head-to-head record, but Fucsovics pushed him to four sets in their last encounter. Medvedev will draw on his experience and positive memories at Hard Rock Stadium to defend his title.