The American Jessica Pegula, world No. 3 and recent finalist at the US Open, was eliminated by the Spaniard Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-0, this Tuesday in the round of 16 of the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing.
Badosaseeded No. 15, will face in the quarter the winner of the match between the Polish Magdalena Frech and the Chinese Zhang Shuai595th worldwide.
Pegulaseeded No. 2 in the Chinese tournament, was one of the favorites of the competition after her almost faultless run in New York where she was beaten by the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in two sets in the final. But she could not resist the 26-year-old Spaniard, companion of the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipaswho despite five double faults, pocketed the first set before quickly breaking away in the second, leading 3-0.
“It’s special for me, at the end of the season, I’m playing really well”a dit Badosa after his victory. “I beat a top 10 (player), I wanted to have this result, I’m happy to be in the quarters, it’s an opportunity for me to do better in the next match.”
In the other part of the table, the Japanese Naomi Osakaformer world No. 1, faces the American on Tuesday in 8th Coco Gauff6th in the ranking WTA. Osakawho has struggled to regain his regularity since his return to tennis in January after the birth of his daughter, is playing his first tournament under the guidance of the French coach Patrick Mouratoglouex-coach notably of the Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.
Aryna Sabalenkaworld No. 2 and seeded No. 1 at Beijingwill face the American on Wednesday Madison Keys in the round of 16. The Polish woman Iga Swiatekat the top of the ranking WTA and title holder, forfeited for “personal reasons”.
