Paula Badosa Advances to the Rome QF after a 3-set battle with Karolina Muchova
Spaniard Paula Badosa outlasted Czech Karolina Muchova in a dramatic Rome showpiece that stretched over more than three hours. Badosa claimed the victory in three sets, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2, securing a place in the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 event in Rome for the first time in her career.
Badosa has looked untouchable in Rome, displaying a level of play that underscores her belief in her own capabilities. Her relentless spirit was on full display against a tenacious Muchova, who fought hard but ceded control in the decisive moments as the Spaniard pressed forward with pressure when it mattered most.
The opening exchanges featured Badosa saving a break in the first game and elevating the quality on her second serve. Muchova started strongly, claiming the fifth game to move ahead to a 3-2 score before the match paused for a break. The Czech followed up with a strong service hold, signaling that the match would be a battle worth watching.
Yet Badosa, far from backing down, absorbed the early blows and responded with an aggressive run, winning four straight games to seize the first set. Her energy and confidence grew as Muchova offered a cautious but stubborn response, recognizing that the Spaniard would not yield easily.
In the second set, Muchova again demonstrated her capacity to test Badosa, mixing dropshots with deft angle play to secure the first break and move ahead. The set saw a tense stretch with neither player dominating on serve, and the pressure mounted as both sides exchanged holds. The score reached 4-3 in Muchova’s favor before Badosa struck back to level and force a tiebreak that Muchova eventually won.
The decisive third set opened with little margin for error and soon exceeded two hours in length, underscoring the physical toll of the match. Badosa came out with renewed resolve, breaking Muchova early in the frame and again in the pivotal moments of the fifth game as she pressured the Czech on her own service games. A second break gave Badosa a comfortable lead and the momentum she needed to close out the set and the match.
With the win, Badosa moved up the standings and earned a quarterfinal berth in Rome. She enters Roland Garros with additional confidence and climbs seven spots to sit at No. 28 in the rankings, eyeing a peak performance that could continue the good form from the Italian capital.
The next step for Badosa will be a quarterfinal meeting with Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, a clash that promises to test her against a fierce opponent who can shift momentum in an instant.
Fans and analysts will note how Badosa maintained composure and intensity across the long battle, converting early chances and taking advantage of moments when Muchova experienced pressure on serve. The match served as a reminder of Badosa’s capacity to rise to challenge and deliver when the stakes are high, a trait that has earned her a place among Rome’s rising stars this season.