In a thrilling start to her 2025 campaign, fifth-seeded Paula Badosa dug deep to secure a hard-fought win over qualifier and world No. 47 Peyton Stearns. The Spanish star prevailed 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-5 in a gripping two-hour, 42-minute marathon at the WTA 500 event in Adelaide.
Match Breakdown: Resilience Overcomes Breakpoint Struggles
Both players grappled with consistency on serve, with 30 break points exchanged over the match. Badosa’s superior conversion rate (7-of-14) compared to Stearns’ (4-of-16) proved decisive.
- First Set: Badosa claimed the first break in the sixth game but was immediately broken back. After missing a set point at 5-4, the Spaniard faltered in the tiebreak as Stearns won three consecutive points from 4-5 down to claim the opener.
- Second Set: Badosa regained her composure, breaking Stearns twice in a commanding display to force a deciding set.
- Third Set: The finale was a see-saw battle, with Badosa twice taking a break lead only for Stearns to claw her way back. At 6-5, the former world No. 2 stepped up under pressure, converting her opportunity to clinch the match.
A Crucial Win for Confidence
This victory holds significant importance for Badosa, who was upset in her Brisbane opener by Elina Avanesyan last week. Starting the season with a 0-2 record would have been a tough mental hurdle to overcome ahead of the Australian Open.
“This win was essential to build momentum and confidence after last week’s disappointment. It’s never easy to recover from a tough loss, but today I showed my fighting spirit,” Badosa said post-match.
Next Up: Kostyuk or Krueger
Badosa will face either Marta Kostyuk or lucky loser Ashlyn Krueger in the round of 16. With Kostyuk’s aggressive baseline game or Krueger’s all-court versatility, the Spaniard will need to maintain her focus and fine-tune her serve to advance further.
Takeaway: Grit and Determination
Badosa’s ability to recover from a first-set disappointment and hold her nerve in the deciding moments underscores her resilience. As the Australian Open looms, this win could serve as a turning point for the Spanish star to regain the form that once took her to world No. 2.