Sabalenka comes from a set down to defeat close friend Badosa to reach Porsche Tennis Grand Prix semi-finals
WTAFriday, 21 April 2023 at 14:38
Aryna Sabalenka is into the semi-finals of Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart after prevailing over her close friend, Paula Badosa 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Friday afternoon.
Sabalenka had to do it the hard way with the Belarusian coming from a set down and also being broken while serving for the match to test her resolve but she won through.
It is 9 wins in 11 matches in Stuttgart and a fourth semi-final for Sabalenka this season.
Badosa looked superb to start the tie and benefited also from some misfortune for Sabalenka as when serving for the opening set, Sabalenka missed a drop shot that would've given her two break points.
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She goes on to fashion three break point opportunities from there, only to be denied anyway as Badosa took it 6-4.
Badosa carried on the front foot but couldn't break as Sabalenka continued to hold and the Spaniard continued to lead but a netted backhand costed Badosa at 4-3 and Sabalenka held to love at 5-4 flipping the match on its head.
Having leveled up 6-4 herself, she broke 2-0 in the decider after a Badosa double fault. However that was taken back by Badosa for 3-2 only to spurn hold opportunities to make it 4-4 and Sabalenka on her third break point made it 5-3.
Only to lose it while serving sending down a double fault at the worst time at 15-40 and Badosa put it back on serve only for it to be another break that decided it.
After a first match point went begging, Sabalenka finally converted on advantage after Badosa had chances herself for 5-5.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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