Paula Badosa came close to a big win over Elena Rybakina, but the Iberian was unable to close out the match in time and was eliminated in the third round of the Miami Open, a “WTA 1,000” tournament.
Paula BadosaPhoto: Rob Prange / Zuma Press / Profimedia
Paula Badosa, defeated by Elena Rybakina at WTA Miami
Badosa, who less than a year ago was ranked second in the world (he is now 29), led with a set and a break (6-3, 4-2) and missed a match point on the score 5-4 in her favor in the second leg.
Rybakina (Indian Wells champion) made a spectacular comeback and prevailed after two hours and 32 minutes of play, score 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Elena (7 WTA, favorite 10) will play in the round of 16 with the Belgian Elise Mertens (39 WTA).
They played on Saturday in the third round at WTA Miami
Qinwen Zheng (23) – Liudmila Samsonova (12) 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3
Jelena Ostapenko (24) – Beatriz Haddad Maia (13) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
Anastasia Potapova (27) – Coco Gauff (6) (8)6-7, 7-5, 6-2
Magda Linette (20) – Victoria Azarenka (14) 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-4
Jessica Pegula (3) – Danielle Collins (30) 6-1, 7-6(0)
Martina Trevisan (25) – Claire Liu 4-6, 7-5, 6-4
Elena Rybakina (10) – Paula Badosa (21) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
Elise Mertens – Petra Martic (29) 6-4, 6-3.
The Miami Open takes place from March 21 to April 2 on hard, is part of the “WTA 1000” category and has a total prize pool of $8,800,000. There are 96 players on the main draw, and the reigning champion is Iga Swiatek.