Simona Halep stuns Paula Badosa in Madrid Open second round

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.
A masterclass in Madrid 👩🎨
🇷🇴 @Simona_Halep flies past the No.2 seed Badosa winning 9 of the last 10 games!#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/6ju92gVO1X
— wta (@WTA) April 30, 2022
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.
Latest
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic striving for perfection and more aggression after easing into Roland Garros fourth round
Novak Djokovic marches on at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Belinda Bencic fumes at umpire over time violation during defeat to Leylah Fernandez at Roland Garros
It’s Leylah Fernandez v Amanda Anisimova up next at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Exclusive – Why Carlos Alcaraz could be a hybrid of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
Annabel Croft says Carlos Alcaraz has taken the best elements of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer to build his game.
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic ‘is back’ says John McEnroe as he makes world No 1 ‘very slight’ favourite for Roland Garros title
John McEnroe tipping Novak Djokovic to win the 2022 French Open.
-
Wimbledon
Daniil Medvedev insists ‘if I can play Wimbledon I will be happy to be there, even without points’
Daniil Medvedev would jump at the chance to play at Wimbledon.
-
Live Tennis
Tennis365’s live scores and results centre: Follow the French Open here
Aaaaand it’s live! Follow the action from Roland Garros…
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios has ‘bigger fish to fry’ after Bernard Tomic challenges him ‘sort this out in the boxing ring’
Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic won’t be stepping into a boxing ring any time soon.
-
French Open
Irina-Camelia Begu escapes disqualification after ’embarrassing moment’ left young fan in tears
“I just want to apologise,” says Irina-Camelia Begu.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon to finally ditch the ‘Miss’ and ‘Mrs’ prefixes on its famous honours boards as it modernises
Welcome to 2022 Wimbledon.
-
French Open
French Open day five: Madison Keys gets entangled, France’s wildcard wonder, a close shave for young fan
A review of the latest action from Roland Garros.