Badosa on nullifying Ostapenko threat for first win of 2022: "It was important, I think mentally"

Paula Badosa is through to the Last 16 at the Sydney Tennis Classic after the Spaniard saw off the threat of Jelena Ostapenko in a 7-6, 6-1 win.

Badosa who is now up and running in 2022 spoke of the importance to shut down an opponent like Ostapenko who has serious pedigree.

"I think it's one of the things that gave me a lot of matches last year, to keep fighting no matter what," said world No.9 Badosa.

"Against an opponent like Jelena, she can win 12 points in a row in two minutes. You have to accept that moment and that's what I did and I started to play much, much better.

"I'm really happy with my first win of the year … I was quite nervous today and for me, it was important. I think mentally, I stuck there until the last moment."