Paula Badosa has returned to the finals of the WTA circuit after two years, but not without controversy. The Spaniard secured a place in the final of the Iasi Open in Romania after an intense and emotional battle against Tamara Zidansek, marked by moments of frustration on the court.
In the semi-final against the Slovenian, Badosa, a favorite due to her recent form, faced a resilient opponent on clay. Zidansek dominated the first set, winning 6-3 and clinching a decisive break. Tension escalated when Badosa, visibly upset, threw her racket into the stands after a smash that hit the net, a gesture she herself would not like to repeat. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the tennis player escaped severe sanctions.
The second set was equally contested, with Zidansek leading 5-4, nearly eliminating Badosa. However, the 28-year-old Spaniard reacted with determination, leveling the score at 5-5 after a crucial break, and ultimately closed the set in her favor 7-5. The third set saw several twists: after an initial lead for Zidansek, Badosa fought back to 2-2. The Slovenian had the opportunity to serve for the match at 6-5, but made several unforced errors, allowing the Spaniard to break decisively, which led the set to a tiebreak. In the tiebreak, Badosa completely dominated, winning 7-1 after 2 hours and 41 minutes.
Since her early defeat to Emma Navarro at Wimbledon, Badosa has now compiled a streak of nine consecutive victories, losing only two sets during this period, and reached the final of the Iasi Open after winning the title the previous week at the Bastad Nordea Open. The final will be against Mayar Sherif, an opponent she has faced twice before, with one victory for each side. The last encounter took place at the Charleston Open in 2023, where Badosa won decisively 6-3, 6-1.
In addition to the prestige, this victory secures Paula Badosa the possibility of direct entry into the main draw of the US Open, as she is expected to break into the top 100 of the WTA rankings, rising to 93rd place. This return to the top 100 comes after a drop to 141st due to her early exit at Wimbledon. If she wins the title in Iasi, she could climb as high as 75th place.
Badosa's performance at this moment is crucial for her season and puts her in a privileged position for the US Open. It remains to be seen whether she can maintain the pace and secure a second consecutive title against Sherif, in a duel that promises to be intense and decisive for her immediate future on the circuit.
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