Badosa reaches Stuttgart semi-finals and takes world number two ranking / Photo: THOMAS KIENZLE - AFP
Badosa reaches Stuttgart semi-finals and takes world number two ranking
Spain's Paula Badosa will move up to the world number two ranking after reaching the semi-finals of the WTA tournament in Stuttgart on Friday with a hard-fought win over Ons Jabeur.
"This win means more to me than just a match - it's my best ranking," said an emotional Badosa.
"I was going after it in the last few tournaments, but didn't get it and I was fighting a lot. It's been my goal and I am really happy."
After winning the marathon opening set lasting over an hour, the Spaniard stumbled in the second before rallying to seal a 7-6 (11/9), 1-6, 6-3 victory.
"It was high levels from both sides, either one of us could have won it," added Badosa.
"I was really tired, I was feeling pain everywhere, but I am happy I fought until the last moment."
In Saturday's semi-finals, Badosa will play Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus who beat Estonia's Anett Kontaveit 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in her quarter-final.
The result meant that Kontaveit's streak of 22 wins indoors came to an end.
Later Friday, world number one Iga Swiatek takes on US Open champion Emma Raducanu for a place in the semi-finals.
Z.Bianchi--IM
