Paula Badosa advanced to her sixth career WTA 1000-level quarterfinal after defeating Jessica Pegula, the No. 2 seed and US Open finalist, 6-4, 6-0 on Tuesday at the China Open.
The 26-year-old Spanish Badosa is the fourth Spaniard to reach the quarterfinals of the China Open after Anabel Medina Garrigues, Carla Suarez Navarro and Garbine Muguruza, who did so in 2015.
“She’s one the of the players I never want to face — she’s very solid, hits very flat, changes very well direction, so I knew it was going to be tough,” Badosa said post-match. “Yesterday I prepared myself for a battle, but I think today everything worked pretty well.
“I was moving well, my backhand, my forehand was there today, and I fought. Every point was very important for me, especially against Jessica, because she can come back at any moment; I’m really happy for this win, honestly.”
“It’s my first time here in the main draw, and it’s very special for me,” Badosa, who picked up her fourth Top 10 win of the season, said. “It means a lot to me, coming here in China, the end of the season, I’m playing really well.
“[Beating] a Top 10 player, I was chasing that result, so I’m really happy to be in the quarterfinals again, with another opportunity to be better in the next match.”
Badosa, who with the victory became the oldest player to reach the last eight at the China Open since 2006, will face home favourite Zhang Shuai.
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