Rain chaos in Iași: Paula Badosa's final postponed as Hamburg schedule comes under threat
WTAMonday, 20 July 2026 at 04:30
Paula Badosa's bid for a fifth WTA title will have to wait at least another day after persistent rain forced the postponement of the Iași Open final. The Spaniard was due to face Egypt's Mayar Sherif on Sunday afternoon, but adverse weather conditions prevented the championship match from getting underway, creating a domino effect that could now extend beyond Romania and into next week's Hamburg Open.
The final had originally been scheduled for Sunday at 4:30 p.m. local time. Tournament officials delayed the start for several hours while ground staff repeatedly attempted to restore the clay court, even exploring the possibility of staging the match during the evening session. However, continuous rainfall and strong winds left the surface unplayable, ultimately forcing organizers to abandon play for the day.
The tournament later confirmed that the singles final has been rescheduled for Monday, July 20, at 11:00 a.m. local time. The decision came after maintenance crews spent hours trying to prepare the court, with the lack of a permanent tarp over the main stadium proving particularly costly as the rain persisted throughout the afternoon and evening.
For Badosa, the postponement interrupts the momentum of one of the best stretches of her career in recent seasons. The former world No. 2 arrives in the final riding a nine-match winning streak across Bastad and Iași, a run that has already guaranteed her return to the Top 100 and secured direct entry into the US Open main draw ahead of this week's cutoff.
Hamburg Open could become the next casualty
Monday's rescheduled final may also have consequences for the following tournament. Both Badosa and Sherif are already entered into the Hamburg Open main draw, where they are currently scheduled to begin their campaigns on Tuesday despite having to complete the Iași final less than 24 hours earlier.
The logistical challenge is significant. Iași and Hamburg are separated by roughly 1,700 kilometres, leaving little time for travel, recovery and preparation before another WTA event begins. Badosa is due to face Poland's Katarzyna Kawa in the opening round, while Sherif is projected to meet sixth seed Simona Waltert in the same section of the draw.
Paula Badosa will play the 5th final of her career on Monday at 11:00 a.m local time
Should either player decide that the turnaround is too demanding, late withdrawals would open places for lucky losers from qualifying. Another possibility would be for Hamburg organizers to adjust Tuesday's order of play and push those matches back to Wednesday, allowing both finalists additional recovery time after Monday's title clash.
While the singles final was washed out, the doubles championship was completed before the weather worsened. Third seeds Anastasia Detiuc and Irina Khromacheva lifted the trophy after defeating Alina Charaeva and Zhibek Kulambayeva 4-6, 6-2, 10-5, leaving the spotlight firmly on Monday's long-awaited singles final between two players now facing not only a battle for the title, but also a race against the calendar.
Paula Badosa’s Run to the Iasi Open Final
| Round | Opponent | Opponent Ranking | Score |
| R32 | Anhelina Kalinina | No. 59 | 6-3, 6-1 |
| R16 | Alevtina Ibragimova | No. 275 | 7-6(5), 1-6, 6-4 |
| Quarterfinal | Panna Udvardy | No. 71 | 6-4, 7-6(2) |
| Semifinal | Tamara Zidansek | No. 148 | 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(1) |
| Final | Mayar Sherif | No. 97 | — |
Mayar Sherif’s Run to the Iasi Open Final
| Round | Opponent | Opponent Ranking | Score |
| R32 | Dalma Galfi | No. 137 | 6-2, 6-0 |
| R16 | Kaitlin Quevedo | No. 100 | 6-3, 7-6(2) |
| Quarterfinal | Yulia Putintseva | No. 82 | 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(5) |
| Semifinal | Oleksandra Oliynykova | No. 52 | 6-3, 6-1 |
| Final | Paula Badosa | No. 115 | — |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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