Badosa stuns Halep in Miami Open return
MIAMI: In a thrilling match at the Miami Open, Paula Badosa delivered a stunning upset as she dashed Simona Halep’s hopes of a victorious return from her doping ban. The Spanish player fought back from a set down to claim a hard-fought 1-6 6-4 6-3 victory, securing her spot in the second round and setting the stage for an emotional showdown with Aryna Sabalenka.
Halep, who had accepted a wildcard entry after her four-year suspension was reduced to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, entered the match amid much anticipation. Despite her extended absence from competition, the Romanian powerhouse displayed little signs of rust in the early stages of the match.
With a dominant first set, Halep showcased her formidable skills, breaking Badosa three times and demonstrating her trademark determination by relentlessly chasing down every ball. However, Badosa refused to be deterred, mounting a resilient comeback in the following sets.
As the match progressed, Badosa found her rhythm, capitalizing on Halep’s occasional lapses to seize control of the momentum. With a combination of powerful groundstrokes and unwavering resolve, the 80th-ranked Spaniard turned the tide in her favor, ultimately clinching a remarkable victory over the former world number one.(Reuters)
