DC Open: Badosa Caps Washington Debut With First Title Since 2022

Paula Badosa, DC Citi Open, Washington
Paula Badosa (photo: Ben Solomon/Mubadala Citi DC Open)

WASHINGTON, August 5, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)

Paula Badosa culminated a strong and inspiring week during her Washington debut by winning the WTA 500 Mubadala Citi DC Open in the nation’s capital city Sunday evening.

Neither her opponent, Marie Bouzkova, nor a couple of inclement weather delays could dampen the former World No. 2 Badosa’s powerful groundstroke attack or her enthusiasm to win her first WTA Tour title in more than two years.

The 62nd-ranked Spanish wild card capitalized on three first-set service breaks against her Czech opponent, then raised her level after a mid-match dip to pull out an emotional 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 victory in two hours and 24 minutes on Stadium Court of the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park.

Badosa, 26, who a year ago was recovering from a stress fracture to her back, was asked during her champion’s news conference what winning the DC Open title meant to her. “It means a lot. I mean, today was a very tough day for me because I really wanted to win this title no matter what,” she said.

“It was very emotional. Finally, I got it. I’m super proud of myself after all. I’m very happy with this title.”

After Badosa dominated the 30-minute opening set by breaking Bouzkova’s serve in three straight service games and won six straight games overall by taking advantage of 15 unforced errors, lightning strikes in the vicinity interrupted play early in the second set. The 50-minute delay allowed both players to reset in the locker room.

When play resumed at 1-all, both Badosa and Bouzkova settled in for a highly-competitive title battle. “I think from 1-all, it was just a battle for every game,” Bouzkova admitted in her post-match news conference.

While Bouzkova erased four break points to hold for 3-2, Badosa soon saved three of her own in holding for 4-all. Ahead 5-4, Bouzkova gained a set point by painting the lines with her volley returns. Then, she won the hour-long set 6-4 on her second opportunity after Badosa hit a fifth-shot forehand return off the net tape that went wide.

“I was feeling better with my own game, just much more in the rhythm than at the start,” Bouzkova said. “At the start I wasn’t feeling like I can do that many things.”

However, rain returned and play was interrupted, again – this time for half an hour.

Badosa confessed she cried during the stoppage. For her, though, it became a welcome release of emotions.
 “My team didn’t know what to do because I just cried nonstop,” she said. “I relaxed a bit. I calmed down.”

As the third set developed, Badosa broke Bouzkova in the first game but the 26-year-old Czech answered the call in the next game to draw even. Soon, Badosa broke to go ahead in the fifth game and consolidated it for a 4-2 advantage. The Spaniard let out a roar of approval and she raised a clinched fist for good measure. Badosa was in it to win it.

Next, Bouzkova saved three more break points to hold serve and remain a single break down. But Badosa also held with a strong service game for 5-3 and it moved her to within a game of the title. After Bouzkova stayed close with a love hold, Badosa served out the title victory.

Upon securing match point, Badosa collapsed to the ground in joy and celebration. Then, after congratulating Bouzkova at the net, she knelt down and kissed the hard court. From the depths of despair, Badosa once again had become a champion.

Badosa finished the final with five aces, won 78 percent of her first-serve points, hit 36 winners, converted five of 18 break points and outpointed her opponent 99-82. Bouzkova countered with 24 winners and broke Badosa three times in seven tries.

En route to the final, Badosa earned a marathon quarterfinal win on Friday over fellow wild card Emma Raducanu of Great Britain that stretched to two hours and 45 minutes. In her semifinal victory over Caroline Dolehide of the United States on Saturday, she won in a more economical 81 minutes. In both triumphs – as well as her title victory – she maintained a positive, aggressive approach.

Winning a fourth career title was an affirmation for all of the time and hard work Badosa has put in to return to her former prominence. In May, she was ranked 140th. Now, with her sudden resurgence this week, Badosa will rise to No. 40 in the new PIF WTA Rankings. Bouzkova, who began the tournament ranked 43rd, will move to No. 30.

“I think the thing I’m most proud of myself is how I handled this week, the tough moments, the pressure moments,” Badosa said. “I think there were a few, especially in quarterfinals and today. How I dealt with it, I’m really proud of myself.”

By the numbers

The Mubadala Citi DC Open was Paula Badosa‘s fourth career final. She won the previous three she played in at Sydney in 2022, at Indian Wells in 2021 and at Belgrade 2021.

“Quotable …”

“I think she’s in a great fighting spirit. I would say that’s the most important of all. She’s obviously in a match rhythm right now, so that’s always helpful. It looks like she’s feeling pretty good.

“I mean, I know it’s not easy coming back after injuries and after some struggles. I think it looked like she’s really into the matches and just fighting very hard. That’s great to see.

“Pretty much looks like she’s back, yeah.”

— Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic, during her post-match press conference Sunday, describing her title opponent, Paula Badosa.

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