Simona Halep stuns Paula Badosa in Madrid Open second round

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Simona Halep

The highest-seeded player in the main draw has been eliminated from the Madrid Open after Paula Badosa lost to Simona Halep on Saturday.

Halep has won the Madrid title twice and is a former World No 1, so as upsets go, this wasn’t a massive surprise. However, Badosa had been tipped to go deep and the result is further evidence of a resurgence for the 30-year-old.

The Romanian next awaits the winner of the match between No.14 seed Coco Gauff and Yulia Putintseva.

Halep holds 2-0 win-loss records against both of her potential third round opponents.

With her victory over Badosa Halep moves into the Madrid Open Round of 16 for the seventh time in her 11 main-draw appearances at the Caja Mágica.

Halep also moves up to 29 main-draw match-wins at the Madrid Open.

The only tournaments Halep has accumulated more match-wins at are the Australian Open and Roland Garros, with her 31 match-wins at each of the aforementioned Grand Slam events.

Halep is closing in on three-time champion Petra Kvitova’s record for main-draw match wins.

Kvitova has won 32 matches at the Madrid Open but won’t be adding to her tally after she was knocked out in the open round by Switzerland’s Jill Teichmann.

Since appointing Patrick Mouratoglou as her coach, Halep has been noticeably more aggressive in her play.

Halep let an early break in the first set slip away, but she earned another at 3-3 with a brilliant crosscourt forehand. Halep again converted to regain the lead and then broke Badosa again to claim the opening set.

Halep snatched another early break for 2-0 in the second set with a super drop-volley winner, and she would not relinquish that advantage.

Halep won nine points in a row on her serve from the outset of the second set.

Badosa had her serving shoulder attended to during a medical time-out at 3-0, but still boldly saved two match points at 5-0 to avoid a bagel.

Halep halted the fightback, though even if she had to save one last break point in order to get it done.

Simona Halep

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