Simona Halep vs Paula Badosa – Second Round – Preview & Prediction | 2022 Madrid Open
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THE FACTS
When is Simona Halep vs Paula Badosa on and what time does it start? Simona Halep vs Paula Badosa will take place on Saturday 30th April, 2022 – not before 18:00 (UK)
Where is Simona Halep vs Paula Badosa taking place? Simona Halep vs Paula Badosa will take place at Park Manzanares in Madrid, Spain
What surface is Simona Halep vs Paula Badosa being played on? Simona Halep vs Paula Badosa will take place on an outdoor clay court
Where can I get tickets for Simona Halep vs Paula Badosa? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Simona Halep vs Paula Badosa
What channel is Simona Halep vs Paula Badosa on in the UK? Simona Halep vs Paula Badosa will be televised live on the Amazon Prime app on Smart TVs
Where can I stream Simona Halep vs Paula Badosa in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Simona Halep vs Paula Badosa live on Prime Video
THE LOWDOWN
SIMONA HALEP
Former world number one Simona Halep was assured in a straight-sets victory over Shuai Zhang on Thursday and she looks a solid title contender in Madrid. The 30-year-old owns three masters titles on clay from Rome in 2020 and twice here in Madrid in 2016 and 2017, with her 2018 Roland-Garros title making her one of the best clay-courters on the WTA tour over the last decade. Halep won the 23rd WTA title of her career at the start of the season at Melbourne 1 after a long time off the tour through injury.
PAULA BADOSA
World number two Paula Badosa is the top seed in Madrid after Iga Swiatek’s withdrawal and she played like it in a searing straight-sets victory over in-form Veronika Kudermetova. The 24-year-old came to the foreground here last season with a stunning run to the semi-finals as a relative unknown and she went on to win her first WTA title the following tournament at the Serbia Open on clay. Badosa improved exponentially over the season, culminating in a first Masters title at Indian Wells last October.
THE PREDICTION
This could be the final of the Madrid Open between one of tennis’ best-ever clay-courters, Simona Halep, and world number two Paula Badosa who may one day emulate her. 24-year-old Badosa will garner most of the support in this first meeting between the two but former world number one Halep is a well-loved two-time champion here and support could fluctuate throughout the match, This could be a thrilling match, perhaps the best of the tournament, and attempting to pick a winner seems almost arbitrary. Badosa should be able to find a way through on recent form but Halep looked in exceptional shape on Thursday and if there is to be three sets here backing the Romanian to win at least one seems the wise move.
