Badosa Stages Stunning Comeback to Take First Set Against Rybakina
Paula Badosa produced a remarkable turnaround to claim the opening set 6-4 against Elena Rybakina, overcoming an early deficit with a relentless comeback.
Rybakina started the match in dominant fashion, holding her opening service game to love for a 1-0 lead. She then applied immediate pressure on Badosa, edging a tightly contested game at 40:30 to break serve and move ahead 2-0. With momentum on her side, Rybakina confidently held again after a long deuce battle, extending her lead to 3-0.
Badosa, facing an uphill battle, responded with a crucial break in the fourth game, taking advantage of a 30:40 opportunity to get on the scoreboard at 3-1. She carried that momentum into her next return game, breaking Rybakina again at 30:40 to level the set at 3-3.
With the set back on serve, Badosa continued to apply pressure, winning an extended seventh game after multiple deuces and break-point chances to edge ahead 4-3. Rybakina, however, hit back immediately, breaking to love to level at 4-4 and seemingly regaining control.
But Badosa had other plans. She broke once more at 15:40, taking a 5-4 lead and earning the chance to serve for the set. Rybakina pushed the final game to deuce multiple times, but Badosa remained composed, eventually sealing the set on her third set point at 40:A to complete the comeback.
Despite Rybakina’s strong start, Badosa’s resilience and ability to capitalize on key moments turned the set in her favor, giving her the upper hand in the match.
Rybakina Strikes Back to Take Second Set in a Dramatic Tiebreak
Elena Rybakina fought back to claim the second set in a tense battle, edging Paula Badosa 7-6(8) after a rollercoaster sequence of breaks and momentum shifts.
Badosa began the set on serve but immediately found herself under pressure. Rybakina capitalized on her first break-point opportunity at 30:40 to take an early 1-0 lead. However, just like in the first set, consistency on serve was hard to come by. Badosa responded immediately, breaking back in a tight second game at 40:30BP to level at 1-1.
The next two games remained fiercely competitive, with both players engaged in extended rallies and break-point battles. Rybakina managed to hold in the third game after multiple deuces, moving ahead 2-1, but Badosa responded with a hard-fought service hold of her own, leveling at 2-2.
Rybakina found another breakthrough in the fifth game, converting her second game point at A:40 to regain the lead at 3-2. But Badosa refused to let her opponent pull away, breaking right back at 30:40 in the next game to tie it up at 3-3.
After an easy service hold for Rybakina, Badosa came behind 15:40, saved 2 breakpoints but could not avoid Rybakina serving for the set. However, Badosa raised her level under pressure, breaking at 30:40 to stay alive at 5-4.
With momentum shifting once more, Badosa held serve convincingly for 5-5. It was one each after that with a tiebreak to decide it all.
The tiebreak itself was a nerve-wracking affair. Badosa took an early 3-1 lead, only for Rybakina to claw back to 3-3. The Spaniard then surged ahead to 5-2 and 6-3, earning multiple match points. Rybakina miraculously saved three consecutive chances, two of which on Badosa’s serve!, leveling to 6-6 and even going to 7-6. However, Badosa made it 7-8. Insane stuff and a fourth match point. Rybakina remained composed, eventually converting her second set point at 9-8 to secure the second set.
With both players splitting sets, the match was set for a thrilling decider, as Rybakina’s resilience in the key moments gave her the momentum heading into the third.
Rybakina Outlasts Badosa in Decider to Clinch Victory
Elena Rybakina held her nerve in a tense third set, fending off Paula Badosa’s resistance before dominating the tiebreak to seal a 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(2) victory in a gripping contest.
The deciding set began with Badosa under immediate pressure on serve, and Rybakina took full advantage, breaking at 40:15 to grab an early 1-0 lead. The Kazakh then faced a tough hold, navigating multiple deuces before converting her fifth game point to consolidate the break for 2-0.
Badosa responded well, breaking back in the third game at 15:40 to reduce the deficit to 2-1. However, she was unable to back it up, as Rybakina held steady at 40:30 in the next game to maintain her lead at 3-1.
The momentum shifted again when Badosa held serve confidently to close the gap to 3-2, followed by a dominant love hold from Rybakina, keeping her ahead at 4-2. But the Spaniard wasn’t going away, as she broke at 15:40 in the seventh game, making it 4-3 and keeping the set on serve.
Rybakina immediately applied pressure, and battled through deuce to hold for 5-3. The following game saw Badosa winning her service game to come back to 5-4. Still she needed to break the Kazakh’s serve. And she did amazingly. 5-5. Badosa suddenly in the zone winning her serve to love. 5-6. And all of a sudden there it was. 2 new match points for Paula Badosa!!
Rybakina escaped with forehand winners, unbelievable and 6-all it was to send the match to a decisive tiebreak.
Elena Rybakina Dominates Tiebreak to Close Out the Match
The tiebreak saw Rybakina seize control early, racing to a 3-1 lead after both players struggled on serve. She extended her advantage to 5-2, forcing Badosa into defensive play. With multiple match points at 6-2, Rybakina wasted no time, clinching the win on her first opportunity at 7-2.
Final Score: Rybakina def. Badosa 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(2)
After an intense three-set battle filled with momentum swings, clutch breaks, and Badosa not able to convert 6 match points, Rybakina’s composure in the last tiebreak proved the difference.
Once again, the WTA has delivered another thriller for tennis fans.