Saturday, 15 January 2022

Badosa the Sydney champion

Final day in Sydney.

2022 Sydney Tennis Classic a WTA 500 tournament, on Hard Greenset, in Sydney, Australia, 10-15 January 2022.
A one off tournament, held in conjunction with an ATP 250 event.
Held because of the Brisbane International being cancelled due to COVID-19.


Final:


Barbora Krejcikova (3) (Czech Republic) v Paula Badosa (5) (Spain)


The pair had met twice previously, with Badosa winning both matches last year, in Madrid April and Indian Wells October.

In her sixth final, Krejcikova was attempting to win a fourth title, her last coming in Prague July 2021.
In her third final, Badosa was attempting to win her third title, her last coming in Indian Wells, October 2021.

Badosa broke Krejcikova in the opening game, but the third seed replied in the fourth to level at 2-2.
From 3-3 Badosa took control, winning the remaining games of the set, including two more breaks of the Krejcikova serve.
The set was Badosa’s 6-3.

A reversal of fortune in set two with Krejcikova breaking in game one. She maintained that break through to a 3-2 lead, but surrendered the advantage in the sixth game.
Badosa managed to consolidate the break back, though was taken to deuce in the process. The fifth seed now led 4-3.
Krejcikova struck again in the ninth game and would serve at 5-4 to level things.
This was done easily. Krejcikova won the set 6-4.

Not to be outdone, Badosa began the decider with a service hold then a break for. 2-0 lead. A game point for consolidation evaporated, and Krejcikova broke back, trailing 1-2.
Neither was troubled from that point, until the tie break.

Krejcikova won the first point, off the Badosa serve. Badosa returned the favour, 
Points went with serve until Krejcikova missed on the sixth point and Badosa led 4-2 at the end change.
Krejcikova lost her next point on serve as well and Badosa led 5-2. Krejcikova retrieved one of the mini breaks with a winner, but an error gave Badosa three match points.
One was saved. Not the next and Paula Badosa was the champion 6-3 4-6 7-6(4), keeping her 100% record in finals intact.

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