Paula Badosa vs Aryna Sabalenka in Stuttgart Open QF, Paula Badosa has committed to setting aside her friendship with Aryna Sabalenka as they face each other in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
On Thursday, April 20, Badosa extended her dominant run in Stuttgart by defeating her compatriot Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-2. With this victory and her previous 6-1, 6-1 win against seventh seed Daria Kasatkina in the opening round, she has emerged as one of the top contenders for the trophy.
Paula Badosa vs Aryna Sabalenka in Stuttgart Open QF
After her win against Bucsa, Badosa spoke at a press conference and expressed that she anticipates a challenging match against Sabalenka, whom she praised as an aggressive player in great form. The Spaniard also mentioned that she will set aside their friendship for paula badosa vs aryna sabalenka, as all players on the tour do.
“Every time we play each other, it’s a battle. It’s very tough. [Aryna Sabalenka]’s playing unbelievable this year, to be honest. Being very aggressive, serving very well, returning amazing, very intense. I think I just have to be there every point, be very competitive, try to be more aggressive than her, going before her the shots, and yeah, take the opportunity if I have it,” – she said.
“I have a very good relationship with a lot of them, and we put aside [our friendships when we play],” she added. – “In that moment we are very competitive. I think Aryna is the same. In that moment we are not friends. When the last ball finishes, then we are gonna be friends again.“
Having received an opening-round bye, Sabalenka advanced to the quarterfinals in Stuttgart with a 6-2, 6-3 triumph over Barbora Krejcikova. Now the upcoming match will be between Paula Badosa vs Aryna Sabalenka in Stuttgart Open QF.
“I was really happy for her” – Paula Badosa vs Aryna Sabalenka 2023 Australian Open triumph
In the beginning of this year, Aryna Sabalenka won the Australian Open championship by defeating the reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the final with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. This victory marked her first ever Grand Slam win.
As per Paula Badosa vs Aryna Sabalenka in Stuttgart Open QF, On the contrary, Paula Badosa withdrew from the Melbourne Major because of a right thigh injury that she suffered during a warm-up tournament in Adelaide. Although it was tough for her to witness the events happening Down Under, she mentioned that she closely followed Sabalenka’s matches and was delighted to see the Belarusian’s triumphant performance at the season-opening Slam.
“To be honest, [Aryna Sabalenka] was the only player I was following in Australia because I was injured and it was tough for me to see. Right after she won, I text her and I was very happy for her, because I know how much it mean and how much she struggled last year,” – Badosa said.
I was very happy for her,” she added. – “We spent the preseason training together. It was a very good preseason in Dubai, and as well in the Dubai exhibition. And I know a little bit her story and the fighter she is, and I was really happy for her, to be honest.“
So far, Paula Badosa vs Aryna Sabalenka have played against each other three times, with Badosa leading the head-to-head record by 2-1. Their most recent encounter was in the semifinals of Stuttgart last year, where Sabalenka won in straight sets. However, she lost to Iga Swiatek in the final.
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