World No. 2 Paula Badosa confirmed that her shoulder was okay and gave credit to Simona Halep for delivering an outstanding performance in their Madrid second round meeting.
World No. 21 Halep dominated the first meeting between her and Badosa as she defeated Badosa 6-3 6-1.
Midway through the second set, Badosa received a medical intervention on her right shoulder.
“My shoulder, it’s okay. My first time playing against Simona, I think she played very high level. She was getting all the balls. She was aggressive. She was fast,” Badosa said after the match, per WTA Insider.
“I don’t know what she said, but I think she played perfect.”
Badosa: “My shoulder, it’s okay. My first time playing against Simona, I think she played very high level. She was getting all the balls. She was aggressive. She was fast.
“I don’t know what she said, but I think she played perfect.”#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/Mbk5MXurSs
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) April 30, 2022
Badosa stood no chance against Halep
Haleo got off to a great start to the match, breaking Badosa in the opening game.
Badosa had a chance to get the break back in the second game but Halep saved three consecutive break points to take a 2-0 lead.
However, Badosa kept pressing Halep and got the break back in the fourth game as the two players were tied to two games apiece after the opening four games.
Halep blew an early break but claimed back-to-back breaks in the seventh and ninth games to win the first set.
After winning the first set, Halep started the second set with back-to-back breaks and a 5-0 lead.
Halep had a chance to close out the match in the sixth game but Badosa saved two match points to end Halep’s run of nine games and reduce the deficit in the second set to 5-1.
Badosa then had a chance to get one break back in the seventh game but Halep saved a break point, before realizing her third match point to complete a straight-set win.
Losing in the second round is certainly disappointing for Badosa, who was hoping to make a strong run in front of her home fans in Madrid.
Badosa has played three tournaments so far during the clay season.
Next on Badosa’s schedule is Rome.