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Enric Gardiner
Madrid
Martes, 21 de enero 2025, 15:31
For the first time in her career, Paula Badosa is among the top four in a Grand Slam. The Catalan player defeated Coco Gauff with great composure (7-5, 6-4) and will play the Australian Open semi-finals against the favourite, Aryna Sabalenka.
Badosa, who has never hidden her thoughts of quitting tennis due to chronic back issues, was outside the top hundred less than a year ago and is now a contender for her dream, a Grand Slam title.
"I'm back where I belong," the Spaniard declared after her victory over Gauff. "My team would like to hear me say I have nothing to lose from now on, but my dream has always been to win a Grand Slam, and I won't feel free until I achieve it. I'll be satisfied when I fulfil my dream. I wasn't going to settle for the quarters."
The victory over Gauff lifts a weight off her shoulders, one that was burdened by defeats to Tamara Zidansek at Roland Garros 2021 by 8-6 in the third set and to Emma Navarro at the last US Open. Moreover, she achieved this against the third-best player in the world, who had defeated her in their last three encounters.
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In addition to confirming her return to the WTA 'top ten'—she could climb to seventh if she wins the tournament—Badosa will have the chance this Thursday to be the first Spanish woman in a Grand Slam final since Garbiñe Muguruza in 2020 at this very venue. Her opponent will be the world number one, Sabalenka, who lost her first set of the tournament against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (2-6, 6-2, 6-3). The Belarusian was down a break in the third set but rallied to face Badosa for the eighth time.
The Spaniard won twice against her, both in 2021, but has lost the last five encounters, including all three in 2024, in Miami, Stuttgart, and Roland Garros.
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