Badosa credits Barty for fuelling belief

Melissa Woods | January 19, 2022

Paula Badosa has marched into the Australian Open third round for the first time and credited a win over world No.1 Ash Barty for igniting her career.

The Spaniard swept past Martina Trevisan 6-0 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday to stretch her unbeaten summer run to seven matches.

Badosa took out the Sydney Tennis Classic last week and then underlined her status as an Open dark horse with her booming groundstrokes and big serve overwhelming her Italian opponent.

The eighth seed was joined in the second round by two-time champion Victoria Azarenka, who thumped Swiss Jill Teichmann 6-1 6-2.

Badosa started 2021 ranked world No.70 but has reached a career-high six on the back of the Sydney title win, beating reigning French Open champion Barbora Krejcíkova in the final.

She said her win over Barty had fuelled her belief.

The 24-year-old beat Australia’s world No.1 6-4 6-3 at the Charleston Open in April.

“I worked very hard last year, but I think there was a key moment but it was after winning (sic) Ash Barty,” Badosa said on Wednesday.

“She’s the best player in the world – the number says it because she’s an amazing player and for me, beating her was amazing. 

“After that moment, I felt that everything was possible and I could win any player.”

Badosa’s previous best grand slam performance was an appearance in the 2021 French Open quarter-finals while she made a first-round exit from Melbourne Park last year.