Simona Halep of Romania played good tennis in Madrid and knocked out crowd favorite Paula Badosa in straight sets to make it into the 16 finalists in the Spanish tournament on Saturday.
The champion of the two editions of the tournament in Madrid threw the second racket in the world with scores of 6-3 and 6-1 on the center court.
I knew I had to stay focused on every point and give everything I had. That’s what I did today mentioned the 21st racket in the world, Halep.
I’m happy with the way I play he added.
Halep will sword Coco Gauff in the third round. The 18-year-old American defeated Yulia Putintseva 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.
Badosa appeared in the Madrid tournament last year, then 62nd in the world. His magical journey ended in the semi-finals.
Halep won the 2016 and 2017 editions back to back and was runner-up in 2014 and 2019.
Another former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka prevailed 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 in 2 hours and 20 minutes. This was his first duel since the tournament in Miami where he withdrew for personal reasons.
On the men’s side, in Portugal, American Frances Tiafoe and Argentinian Sebastian Baez qualified for the final of the Estoril tournament.
Tiafoe eliminated his compatriot Sebastian Korda in three sets of 4-6, 7-6 (7/2) and 6-4 in the semi-finals. On his side of the table, Baez ended the run of Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vignolas with scores of 6-3, 6-7 (9/7) and 6-0.
The final will take place on Sunday.
Source: Radio-Canada
