By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Saturday, August 3, 2024
Paula Badosa reached her first final in two years and will face (name) for the Washington DC WTA 500 title. Photo Credit: Dakota Moyer/Mubadala Citi DC Open
Paula Badosa endured the heat and a tough opponent to find herself into her first WTA final in over two years in Washington, DC.
The former World No. 2 Badosa of Spain enjoyed a 6-3, 6-3 win over American Caroline Dolehide in the semifinals of the Mubadala Citi DC Open. The victory put Badosa into her first WTA final since Sydney in 2022.
After two years of back injury struggles and moments when she wondered if she would ever play again, Badosa is thrilled for the opportunity to contend for another title.
“I’ve been saying this since a few weeks ago that I'm playing well, that I knew my moment was going to come, but I didn't know when. I was feeling that I was losing close matches lately and that my moment was going to come. I just needed to have patience.
“Finally I play another final. It's been a while. For me, the emotions are more that especially the beginning of the year, a year injured and everything, there was moments that was coming to my mind, Am I going to be able to get back to the level I want to?
“That was tough for me because my back wasn't responding. Finally it is. My body, I'm feeling now an athlete again. For me, it's really emotional to be back in a final and to be fighting for titles.”
Badosa, currently ranked World No. 62 earned the first break of the opening set over World No. 21 Dolehide who was playing in her first semifinal of the season. Eventually, Badosa secured the set 6-3.
Badosa, who won 89 percent of her first serves in the match, proved too tough overall for the American. Badosa saved all three break points against her before eventually securing the 6-3, 6-3, win.
Waiting for Badosa in the final will be Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic who pulled off the upset 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over top seed and reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in the second semifinal.
The World No. 43 Bouzkova split the first two sets against an erratic Sabalenka trying to reach her first final since Rome earlier this spring. Sabalenka, currently ranked World No. 3, led up a break 2-1 in the final set before a three hour rain delay halted the match.
Sabalenka, after play resumed, lost her break lead and soon enough Bouzkova leveled at 3-all. Bouzkova then got the late break to go up 5-3.
Bouzkova soon closed out the match for her biggest career win to date since defeating Jessica Pegula last summer in Cincinnati.
Photo Credit: Dakota Moyer/Mubadala Citi DC Open