Paula Badosa, On a Roll, Advances to Quarterfinals at the US Open

Just four months ago, after the Madrid Masters 1000, Paula Badosa considered retiring from tennis, as some doctors had even recommended due to her lumbar injury. However, the spectacular physical and mental resurgence of the Spanish player has led her to the quarterfinals of the US Open. Badosa qualified among the top eight of the season's last Grand Slam on Sunday by overwhelming China's Yafan Wang (6-1, 6-2). This is the second time in her career that Badosa has reached the quarterfinals of a major tournament, following Roland Garros in 2021.

After an impressive American tour, with a title win in Washington and reaching the semifinals in Cincinnati, Paula Badosa arrived at the US Open without pressure. Now that her back is responding well, she is on a roll and has staked her claim in New York, where she had never previously advanced past the second round. After saving a match point in the previous round against Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse, Badosa admitted to feeling "nervous" because, as the WTA number 29 facing Wang, ranked 80th, she was the favorite to win.

"Last year was very tough. I couldn't play many tournaments, including this one. I stopped believing in myself and my injury wasn't improving, so to be one of the best players in the world again is a dream come true," acknowledged the Catalan after her victory over Wang. After resorting to back injections to continue playing and doubting whether she could regain her level, Badosa has boosted her spirits at this US Grand Slam where she couldn't participate last year. With her quarterfinal qualification, she is now knocking on the doors of the world's top 20 rankings, having been outside the WTA's top 100 just last June. In 2022, the Catalan player reached as high as world number two.

Badosa gave Wang no chance, delivering an exhibition after the Asian player had surprised Belarus's Victoria Azarenka. The Catalan was a hurricane in the round of 16, losing only three games and finishing off her opponent in an hour and 22 minutes. Her forehand and serve worked flawlessly for the Spanish player to overpower Wang, against whom she liberated herself and showcased her best tennis after winning the first five games.