Returning Paula BADOSA into third round of Australian Open, continues to improve in first Grand Slam back

Paula Badosa has qualified for the third round of the Australian Open after beating the Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in two sets (6-2/6-3). The player from Barcelona came out very strong from the start and imposed a great rhythm that ended up wearing down her rival. She will face the American Anastasia Anisimova in the third round.

Badosa started the match very serious, very aggressive with her opponent's serve and breaking her opponent's serve. Then she confirmed the break and went 3-1 up before breaking her opponent's serve again. With 4-1 on the scoreboard the Russian began to loosen up seeing herself so far behind on the scoreboard. She had 3 break balls in that game, but the Brooklyn played those important points very seriously and managed to put on the scoreboard the 5-1. As we say, a fantastic first set for her;

With 5-2 up for the Spanish, Pavlyuchenkova again had 3 break points, but Paula managed to come back and closed the first set with 2 aces exhibiting her great level. Badosa finished the first set with 6 direct serves, with 75% of the points won with the first service and having taken advantage of 2 of the 4 break points she had. The Russian, who won less than 50% of her points with first serves, could not take advantage of the 5 break points she had in the last two games she played in the first set.

SECOND SET.

At the start of the second set, Pavlyuchenkova prevailed on her serve and Paula responded by levelling the set at one. After the end of the first, everything seemed more equal in the second round duel of the Australian Open;

Thus, the set continued to evolve with a closely fought nature, with a Badosa who continued to be very confident with their serve, with good percentage of first, hurting her opponent especially with open services;

In the next game came the first two break points for Badosa in the second set. The first was saved by Pavlyuchenkova with a great first. The second was taken by Paula thanks to a double fault of her rival. It was the first in a complicated moment; Badosa confirmed the break again serving at a high level, as throughout the duel. He was 4-2 up with the match on track;

The Russian pressed a little more on serve and made Paula make some mistakes with her fifth serve of the second set, but managed to win it again with 2 consecutive aces and put the 5-3 on the scoreboard. She was one game away from closing the duel. She closed again breaking her serve. Great level from Paula, we will see against Anisimova in the third round if she can continue to raise her game;