Porsche Tennis Grand Prix: Aryna Sabalenka back on course for the final - after a roller coaster against girlfriend Badosa
Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka is again in the semifinals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. She beat her good friend Paula Badosa 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Apr 21, 2023, 02:49 pm
What an up and down in the first quarter-finals at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2023! Because Paula Badosa already had many trumps in her hand - specifically after winning the set also a 4:2 lead and a 0:30 on serve Sabalenka; later also the game ball to 5:3. But Sabalenka, in the last two editions in the final in Stuttgart, fought - while Badosa was completely beside himself for a while, hardly getting a ball into the field.
Also at the start of the third set, where she was quickly down 3-0, made it 3-3, lost her serve to make it 3-5, made the re-break... and ended up losing serve again to give Sabalenka the win had to.
"She played unbelievable tennis. I had to give everything," praised Sabalenka afterwards. "She's a great tennis player and will be back in the top 10 soon."
What is special about playing against Badosa of all people? "It's hard playing against a friend. Sometimes you wonder if I should yell 'Come on' or not," she admitted.
Sabalenka, who already had his sights set on the winning Porsche in previous years, now has another chance at it, two wins are still missing. The year before last she lost to Ashleigh Barty in the final, and then to Iga Swiatek last year. And in this one? First up is the semifinals on Saturday, the opponent here is the winner of the match between Caroline Garcia and Anastasia Potapova.
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