October 18, (THEWILL) – At the BNP Paribas Open, Paula Badosa won the biggest title of her career, denying two-time champion Victoria Azarenka a piece of history. In three hours and four minutes, the 23-year-old won a high-quality match 7-6 2-6 7-6 to become the first Spanish woman to lift the trophy.
It is only Badosa’s second WTA Tour title, following her triumph in Belgrade in May, and it prevents Azarenka from becoming the first woman to win the BNP Paribas Open three times.
It was a victory that propelled Badosa to world No. 11 and that will keep her in contention for a spot in the WTA finals in Mexico.
The final began with former champion Azarenka having the early advantage, putting constant pressure on Badosa’s serve but failing to secure a lead despite having five break points in the first four games, which lasted a lung-busting half-hour.
Soon after, the Spaniard’s tenacity paid off, as she scored the game’s first goal with a rasping return to take a 4-3 lead. Azarenka hit back with a forehand misfire, allowing her 23-year-old opponent to break and serve for the set at 6-5.
Azarenka, on the other hand, displayed incredible defence to win back-to-back points at 30-30 to force a tie break, where she threatened to turn the tables on the No.21 seed once more.
As the two-time Grand Slam champion levelled at 5-5, Badosa nearly blew a 4-0 lead, but the Spaniard came out on top in one of the match’s most memorable rallies to take the breaker 7-5 and win an epic one-hour and 18-minute opener.
Azarenka’s response was swift and champion-like, as she quickly secured a double break to take a 3-0 lead in the second set.
Badosa, who was hoping to make a strong main-draw debut at the tournament, responded briefly, but the former world number one made quick work of forcing a decider, dropping only two games with a bold purple patch to take the second set.
The young Spaniard appeared to be in trouble, but she found her game at the perfect time, battling back from 0-30 to hold before securing a surprise break to lead 2-0.
In keeping with the rollercoaster nature of the match, Azarenka retorted to level the match at 2-2, and both players had chances before the Belarusian broke in Game 9 to move 5-4 ahead and serve for the title. But it was not to be, as she fell apart at 30-0, allowing Badosa to come back with a series of unforced errors.
After a tie break, Badosa raced away to win 7-2 and claim the title, leaving Azarenka to ponder what could have been as a chance to win her first title of 2021 slipped away.
In her comments at the trophy presentation, Badosa paid tribute to Azarenka: “I remember when I was 14, 15 years old and seeing you winning Grand Slams.
“I remember saying to my coach that one day I hope I can play like her, so it’s amazing (to play you), thank you for inspiring me so much. without athletes like you, and women like you, I would not be here. this is a dream come true.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
