Paula Badosa, the 2021 Indian Wells champion, is poised to continue her impressive run at the US Open. After a dominant victory over Emma Navarro in Rome earlier this year, Badosa is favored to advance to the semifinals in their quarterfinal clash on Tuesday.
Badosa’s recent form on North American hard courts has been exceptional. She captured the title in Washington D.C. and has won 14 of her last 16 matches. Her hold percentage on hard courts over the past 52 weeks stands at an impressive 75.3%, significantly higher than Navarro’s 68.3%.
Navarro, on the other hand, may be facing a letdown after her thrilling victory over Coco Gauff in the previous round. The American crowd’s overwhelming support for Gauff could have taken an emotional toll on Navarro, who had to maintain her composure in a hostile environment.
Furthermore, Navarro’s serve has shown signs of vulnerability, especially against Gauff. Badosa, known for her relentless return game, is likely to capitalize on any weaknesses in Navarro’s service.
Despite Navarro’s impressive performance in the tournament so far, Badosa’s current form and statistical advantages make her the more likely winner. The oddsmakers’ pricing of Badosa as a slight underdog appears to be a miscalculation, given her recent dominance.
