"I knew it was going to be a battle" admits Badosa on facing Kostyuk

Paula Badosa faced Marta Kostyuk in Melbourne and following the 6-2 5-7 6-4 win she spoke about the match.

It was a match that could have finished much sooner yet Paula Badosa saw a 6-2 4-2 lead slip through her fingers as Kostyuk battled back to win the 2nd set with 7-5. In the end, Badosa was able to pull out the win 6-4 in the 3rd set and after the match, she admitted that she expected something like this to happen.

She said:

"I knew she was looking forward to play against me since the day the draw was out, because she told me. I was like, 'Okay, it's going to be a battle today.' So I'm really happy that I went through that."

The 3rd set was a very high level dispaly from Badosa and the Spaniard would agree saying:

"I think I played a very good level in the third set. I knew I had to put my best and to go to the limit against her because she was going for it, she was going for the lines. It was very tough."

Badosa and Kostyuk are good friends off the court and the Spanish player always highlights the potential of Marta saying:

"When they ask me who can be the next star, I always say Marta. She has a lot of potential. She's always a dangerous player. I will have to play my best because I know she likes these kinds of matches and she will play her best next day."