Former world No 2 Paula Badosa thinks her great performance against sixth-ranked Cori Gauff in Madrid is proving that she still has the level to compete against the very best players in the game.
Badosa, now ranked at No 42 in the world, dismantled Gauff 6-3 6-0 in the Madrid third round for her career 10th top-10 win.
A week earlier, Badosa was up by a set and a break against world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka in Stuttgart before losing in three sets.
In Miami, Badosa was up by a set and a match point against seventh-ranked Elena Rybakina before also losing in three sets.
Now, Badosa is hoping for more wins against the top players.Ā
āMatches like this give me confidence. Before starting the tournament I already said that I see myself at the level of the best, I have been very close to winning matches against them, there are small details. I see myself playing better and better and I think that in my case it is something more mental, a higher level of confidence. But little by little if I can play a lot of matches and have that continuity, the confidence will come to me,” Badosa said, per Punto de Break.
Badosa doing better in Madrid this year
Last year, Badosa suffered a disappointing 6-3 6-1 loss to Simona Halep in the Madrid second round.Ā
This year, Badosa is already doing better.
āLast year I didn’t manage it so well, but you learn from the bad things that happen to you. This year I’m managing it more calmly, I think it’s also noticeable on the court. When I’m well off the court I reflect it inside. And it’s never easy to deal with and I don’t think I’m the only one this happens to. In the end, we also want to do very well here in Madrid, which is a tournament that women don’t have another one here in our country. I am a very emotional and passionate person, I feel a lot when I play and the public, so I want to play well,” Badosa noted.
Badosa plays next against ninth-ranked Maria Sakkari.