This match guarantees the first Spaniard in the final since 1993, but will it be Garbine Muguruza or Paula Badosa? This is Muguruza’s second semi final, whereas Badosa is in her debut WTA finals. This semifinal poses the old gladiatorial question of experience vs youth, for the pride of Spain.
A guaranteed additional 330 points are up for grabs, Muguruza is looking for the cementation of her comeback to the top of the game, Badosa is hoping to establish herself as a big player for next year after an incredible breakthrough year.
This will be the first time they have played each other in competition.
Paula Badosa (7)
-24 years old
-Spain
-Indian Wells (1000) Serbia (250)
Beat Gauff, Krejcikova, Kerber, Jabeur and Azarenka to win her first masters 1000 at Indian Wells.
-Super form
-Seventh seed
-Round Robin record of 2-1 matches, 4-2 sets, 34-27 games
-Placed first in her group
-Career high of rank ten
-Currently rank ten
-Earned 625 WTA points so far
Badosa uses coolheaded power and strategy, and does not crumble under pressure. In the round robin she beat Sabalenka and Sakkari, but lost to Swiatek.
Badosa is the only player to have lost to Swiatek in her group.
Garbine Muguruza (6)
-28 years old
-Spain
-Dubai (1000) Chicago (500)
Beat Swiatek, Sabalenka, Mertens and Krejcikova to win her first masters 1000 since 2017 in Dubai.
-Good form
-Sixth seed
-Round Robin record of 2-1 matches , 5-3 sets, 40-38 games
-Placed second in her group
-Career high of rank one
-Currently rank five
-Earned 625 WTA points so far
Muguruza is a flat aggressive groundstroker. She has beaten Krejcikova and Kontaveit in the round robin, but lost to Pliskova.
Muguruza is the only player to have beaten Kontaveit in her group.
Summary
They both have similar records in their groups, Muguruza has had the better season and career. Badosa has had the more recent success and did marginally better in the round robins, she looked more comfortable too. Both strong baseliners. Based on form alone Badosa seems to be the favourite.
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