Badosa survives qualifier Mandlik to reach San Jose quarterfinals

Second seed Paula Badosa was forced to work hard on Wednesday night at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic, but managed to book her spot in the quarterfinals.

The Spaniard overcame some stiff resistance from American qualifier Elizabeth Mandlik, calling on all her experience to pull off the 6-2 5-7 7-6(5) victory. After a routine first set by the World No.4, it appeared to be business as usual in the second. However, Mandlik, ranked 240th in the world, increased her level of play as she took it to the 2021 Indian Wells champion.

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Both ladies exchanged breaks to level the score at 5-5, but Badosa was unable to extend the second set to a tiebreak. Mandlik applied the pressure, eventually escaping with the second set and forcing a decider.

The American showed no hesitation in the final set, going back and forth with her more-accomplished opponent. After two breaks of serve by each competitor, a tiebreak ensued. It was here that the lights got too bright for the 21-year old qualifier, who lacked the big match experience of her Spanish foe. Badosa took the tiebreak, and closed out the match after an exhausting two and a half hours.

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With a spot in the semifinals up for grabs, Badosa will have an even tougher test ahead as she faces the winner of the blockbuster clash between Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka.

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