Four-time Mutua Madrid Open finalist Simona Halep is through to the third round of the tournament’s 2022 edition with a 6-3 6-1 victory over home favorite Paula Badosa.
The 2016 and 2017 Madrid champion Halep saved six out of seven break points and converted five out of ten break points in Saturday’s high-profile second-round clash. The world No.21 Halep recorded her first ever victory over a second-ranked WTA player on clay, while Badosa will not retain her career-high in the new rankings, as she needed to reach at least the semifinals to have a chance of maintaining the position.
Making her 11th main-draw appearance at the Madrid Open, Halep has now won her 29th main-draw match in the Spanish capital. There are only two tournaments where the Romanian has accumulated more victories in her career — the Australian Open and Roland Garros, 31 match wins apiece at each.
The 30-year-old Halep is now working with Serena Williams’ famous coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
