honormeh_agangaSpain’s Paula Badosa will move up to the world No 2 ranking after reaching the semifinals of the WTA tournament in Stuttgart on Friday with a hard-fought win over Ons Jabeur.
“This win means more to me than just a match – it’s my best ranking,” said an emotional Badosa.
“I was going after it in the last few tournaments, but didn’t get it and I was fighting a lot. It’s been my goal and I am really happy.”
After winning the marathon opening set lasting over an hour, the Spaniard stumbled in the second before rallying to seal a 7-6 (11/9), 1-6, 6-3 victory.
“It was high levels from both sides, either one of us could have won it,” added Badosa.
“I was really tired, I was feeling pain everywhere, but I am happy I fought until the last moment.”
In Saturday’s semifinals, Badosa will play Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus who beat Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in her quarterfinal.
The result meant that Kontaveit’s streak of 22 wins indoors came to an end.
Later on Friday, world No 1 Iga Swiatek takes on US Open champion Emma Raducanu for a place in the semifinals.
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