Tennis

Poland's Swiatek Stuns Badosa to Advance in Billie Jean King Cup FinalsMALAGA, Spain - World No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland delivered a stunning performance on Friday, defeating home favorite Paula Badosa of Spain to secure Poland's spot in the quarterfinals of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.In a thrilling encounter that lasted over two hours, Swiatek displayed her dominance on the indoor hard court, ultimately prevailing 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-1. The victory marked Poland's first win in the tournament and set up a quarterfinal clash against the Czech Republic.Badosa, ranked No. 12 in the world, fought valiantly to stay in the match, winning the second-set tiebreaker. However, Swiatek's resilience and determination proved too much to overcome. The Polish star roared back in the third set, breaking Badosa's serve twice and securing a decisive 8-3 advantage."She pushed me," Swiatek said after the tie was won 2-0. "There was a lot of pressure in the tiebreaker and it went her way, but I knew I could get back in it in the third set."Swiatek's victory was preceded by a hard-fought win from her teammate Magda Linette, who defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain 7-6 (8), 2-6, 6-4. Linette faced a 3-0 deficit in the decisive set but rallied to secure the victory.The match between Spain and Poland was originally scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed due to heavy rain and flooding in Malaga. The incident highlighted the ongoing concerns about extreme weather events in the region.Swiatek's performance in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals has further solidified her status as one of the most formidable players in women's tennis. The five-time Grand Slam winner is now poised to lead Poland in their quest for a historic title.

Mirra Andreeva and Daria Kasatkina have advanced to the final of the WTA 500 Ningbo Open after their semifinal opponents retired due to injuries.Kasatkina, the No. 5 seed, was leading Paula Badosa 6-4 when the Spaniard retired due to dizziness. Badosa had previously withdrawn from the WTA 1000 in Wuhan due to illness.Andreeva, a 17-year-old qualifier, was leading Karolina Muchova 6-2, 1-0 when the Czech retired with a back injury. Muchova had missed the first six months of 2024 after wrist surgery.The withdrawals of Badosa and Muchova continue a trend of retirements at the Ningbo Open. Seven lucky losers have entered the field after the top three seeds, Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen, and Emma Navarro, all withdrew without playing a match.Andreeva and Kasatkina will face off in the final on Sunday. It will be their first career meeting.Kasatkina has won five of her seven career WTA singles titles at the WTA 500 level, but she has lost six of her last seven finals. Her only victory in that span came on grass in Eastbourne in June.Andreeva, meanwhile, won her first tour-level crown at the WTA 250 level in Iasi, Romania in July.The Ningbo Open has been plagued by injuries and withdrawals, but Andreeva and Kasatkina have emerged as the finalists. They will both be looking to win their second tournament title of 2024 on Sunday.

Former world number two Paula Badosa has withdrawn from the Wuhan Open amid a racism row over an online photo. The Spaniard pulled out of the WTA 1000 tournament, citing a gastrointestinal illness, hours before her first round match against Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.The controversy stems from a photo posted on Instagram by Badosa's coach, Pol Toledo, last week. The image showed Badosa in a restaurant in Beijing, where she reached the semi-finals of the China Open, with chopsticks placed on the corners of her eyes.The photo sparked a social media uproar, with many accusing Badosa of racism. The image was subsequently deleted, and Badosa issued an apology on Monday."Hey guys! Really sorry didn't know this was offensive towards racism. My mistake," she wrote on social media platform X. "I take full responsibility. These mistakes will make me learn for next time. Hope you understand."Badosa's withdrawal from the Wuhan Open has been met with mixed reactions. Some have criticized her for her actions, while others have defended her, saying that she made an innocent mistake.The incident has highlighted the importance of cultural sensitivity in the sports world. Athletes are often role models for young people, and it is important for them to be aware of the potential impact of their actions.Badosa's apology suggests that she understands the seriousness of the situation. It remains to be seen whether she will face any further consequences for her actions.

Coco Gauff's resilience and assertive play propelled her to a hard-fought 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Paula Badosa in the semifinals of the China Open on Saturday.The opening set was a tale of missed opportunities for Gauff, who squandered 10 break points before finally breaking Badosa's serve in the marathon eighth game. However, Badosa immediately broke back and sealed the set with a forehand miscue from Gauff.In the second set, Badosa broke early but Gauff fought back valiantly, saving four break points and holding for 2-3. A crucial break at 4-3 gave Gauff the momentum, and she held her serve to level the match.The third set was all Gauff's as she went on an 18-for-20-point run, breaking Badosa twice and forcing unforced errors from her opponent. Badosa briefly regained her composure but handed the re-break back with a botched forehand. Gauff served out the match with an ace, securing her first final appearance since winning the Auckland title in January.Gauff's victory leveled her head-to-head record with Badosa to 3-3 and marked her second win over the Spaniard this season. She now awaits the winner of the other semifinal between Zheng Qinwen and Karolina Muchova in the final.

Sixth-ranked Coco Gauff overcame a sluggish start to defeat Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the China Open on Thursday. Gauff will face Paula Badosa of Spain in the semifinals, who earlier ended local wild card Zhang Shuai's impressive run at the title.Starodubtseva, ranked 115th in the world, had not lost a set in her three matches this week and quickly took the lead against Gauff. The American struggled in the first set, making numerous errors and failing to hold serve. However, Gauff showed her resilience by saving two break points in her opening service game of the second set and breaking Starodubtseva's serve to take a 3-1 lead.Gauff continued to dominate the second and third sets, losing only three more games. She displayed her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes, forcing Starodubtseva into errors. The American's victory marks her second consecutive comeback win after she rallied from a set down against Naomi Osaka in the previous round.Meanwhile, Badosa continued her impressive form by defeating Zhang Shuai 6-1, 7-6 (4) in the other quarterfinal. The Spaniard has won 28 of her last 35 matches and has reached the semifinals of three of her past five tournaments.Zhang, who entered the tournament on a 24-match losing streak, had been the surprise of the week. She had not dropped a set in her four matches, but she was unable to match Badosa's power and consistency. The Spaniard broke Zhang's serve three times in the opening set and rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the second set to win the tiebreak.

Aryna Sabalenka's historic US Open victory sparked a heartwarming exchange with her close friend and fellow tennis star Paula Badosa. Amidst the outpouring of congratulations, Badosa's witty banter stole the spotlight, showcasing the unbreakable bond between the two athletes.In response to Sabalenka's disbelief at her triumph, Badosa penned a heartfelt message, acknowledging her friend's strength and inspiration. However, true to their playful nature, Badosa couldn't resist a playful jab, urging Sabalenka to "leave a bit for the rest."Sabalenka, known for her infectious humor, responded in kind, teasing Badosa that she would only share her success with her. The exchange highlighted the camaraderie and mutual respect between the two players, who have supported each other through thick and thin.Beyond the lighthearted banter, Sabalenka's victory marked a significant milestone in her career. After a string of impressive performances, including 12 consecutive hard-court wins, she finally claimed her first US Open title. The victory was a testament to her unwavering determination and the guidance of her coaches.Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Sabalenka remained focused on her future goals. In a message to her fans, she declared her intention to return to practice within days, signaling her unwavering commitment to excellence.The exchange between Sabalenka and Badosa not only celebrated a remarkable achievement but also showcased the power of friendship in the competitive world of professional sports. Their playful banter and mutual support serve as a reminder that even in the face of intense competition, the bonds of friendship can endure.

Paula Badosa, the 2021 Indian Wells champion, is poised to continue her impressive run at the US Open. After a dominant victory over Emma Navarro in Rome earlier this year, Badosa is favored to advance to the semifinals in their quarterfinal clash on Tuesday.Badosa's recent form on North American hard courts has been exceptional. She captured the title in Washington D.C. and has won 14 of her last 16 matches. Her hold percentage on hard courts over the past 52 weeks stands at an impressive 75.3%, significantly higher than Navarro's 68.3%.Navarro, on the other hand, may be facing a letdown after her thrilling victory over Coco Gauff in the previous round. The American crowd's overwhelming support for Gauff could have taken an emotional toll on Navarro, who had to maintain her composure in a hostile environment.Furthermore, Navarro's serve has shown signs of vulnerability, especially against Gauff. Badosa, known for her relentless return game, is likely to capitalize on any weaknesses in Navarro's service.Despite Navarro's impressive performance in the tournament so far, Badosa's current form and statistical advantages make her the more likely winner. The oddsmakers' pricing of Badosa as a slight underdog appears to be a miscalculation, given her recent dominance.

Paula Badosa's journey back to the top of women's tennis has been a testament to her resilience and determination. After a series of injuries threatened to derail her career, Badosa has emerged stronger than ever, reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open and setting her sights on a return to the WTA Finals.Badosa's struggles began during the clay court season, where she suffered early exits in several tournaments. The setbacks raised questions about her future in the sport, especially as she resorted to cortisone shots to manage her persistent back pain.However, Badosa refused to give up. She found solace in her relationship with fellow pro Stefanos Tsitsipas and explored opportunities off the court. But her competitive fire burned brighter than ever, and she resolved to give herself one more year to prove that she could still compete at the highest level.The hard-court season has been a turning point for Badosa. She won her first title in over two years at the Mubadala Citi DC Open and reached the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open. Her impressive form has propelled her into the last eight at the US Open, where she is now projected to make a Top 20 return.Badosa's victory over Wang Yafan in the fourth round was a testament to her newfound confidence and aggression. Despite being the overwhelming favorite, Badosa remained focused and executed her game plan flawlessly."I think I managed that, and I dealt with the pressure and the nerves pretty well," Badosa said. "I was really aggressive. I think today the forehand worked really well and especially also the serve. I'm really pleased with that."Badosa's next challenge will be an even tougher one. She will face either Emma Navarro or Coco Gauff, the defending champion, in the quarterfinals. While she is not expecting a home-court advantage despite being born in New York City, Badosa is relishing the opportunity to play on one of the biggest stages in tennis."I like these kinds of challenges," Badosa said. "I was born to play on big stages, and I'm really looking forward for that."Badosa's journey back to the top has been an inspiration to many. Her unwavering belief in herself and her ability to overcome adversity serve as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

Tsitsidosa: A Tennis Power Couple Set to Conquer Mixed Doubles at the US OpenPaula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas, the dynamic tennis duo known as "Tsitsidosa," have officially announced their entry into the Grand Slam mixed doubles arena. After triumphing in the inaugural Mixed Madness event, the couple will make their main draw debut at the 2024 US Open.Badosa, a former world No. 2, expressed her excitement and confidence in their partnership. "I'm the responsible one on the mixed doubles team," she joked. "I carry us!"Their journey to the US Open has been marked by both setbacks and triumphs. Last summer, they were scheduled to play mixed doubles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, but Badosa's back injury forced her to withdraw. Now fully recovered, they have proven their dominance as a tennis power couple.In the Mixed Madness event, Tsitsidosa defeated American teams Coco Gauff-Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz-Amanda Anisimova, claiming a whopping $250,000 prize. Badosa's highlight of the night was returning Shelton's blistering serve, which often reaches speeds of 150 miles per hour."Every time I see him, I'm like, 'I returned your serves!'" Badosa exclaimed. "It was so easy to return his serve, so I love it."Badosa attributes their success to their shared strength and off-court chemistry. "I think it helps that I'm a strong player who can handle the man," she explained. "That may be the most important part of the mixed, the fact that I can return the man's serve.""Of course, he's an amazing tennis player, so that helps so much," she added of Tsitsipas. "He has an amazing serve and an amazing volley. He makes my life very easy there, you know? I'm like, 'Ok, you just ace it, and I'm just there!'"Despite their individual talents, Badosa emphasizes the importance of teamwork and support. "Even though we're both good players, we can come together and not play good doubles. That could happen, you know? But in our case, we know how to handle the moments, and even when the two of us might be struggling a bit, we help and support each other very well. I think we enjoy it and that's really important."As the mixed doubles event at the US Open approaches, the question remains: can Tsitsidosa capture their first major title together? With their proven chemistry and determination, they are poised to make a significant impact on the Grand Slam stage.