Paula Badosa is in the driver’s seat at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix—literally
The former world No. 2 carried good vibes from a trip to the eponymous car museum into an emphatic upset over Daria Kasatkina in Stuttgart.
WATCH: Badosa was ruthless in her straight-sets victory over Daria Kasatkina on Tuesday.
Paula Badosa appears to have found a new gear in Stuttgart, and may have a trip to the Porsche Museum to thank after stunning No. 7 seed Daria Kasatkina, 6-1, 6-1, her first Top 10 victory in exactly 12 months.
The former world No. 2 kicked off her week at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix by visiting the museum, which is about a 20 minute drive from the tennis action at the Porsche-Arena. It was there that she spent an afternoon learning about the vehicle brand’s history and getting behind of the wheel of some of their most iconic models.
“It’s the perfect fit, isn’t it?” Badosa joked from the 365 Number 1, which was designed by Ferry Porsche himself and first produced in 1948.
Three quarters of a century after the 365/1 first hit the road, Badosa burned rubber of her own in Stuttgart, scoring a decisive win over her Russian rival as a wild card at the WTA 500 event, her biggest win since she defeated Ons Jabeur at this event last April.
Badosa has been in search of the form that earned her a career-high ranking with a run to the semifinals last spring, though she has shown flashes of it this spring with solid results in Miami and Charleston.
“I don’t usually say this but I think it was a 9.9,” Badosa said of her win, her first over Kasatkina after back-to-back defeats in 2022.
“She plays very well on clay, so I was expecting a battle, but I’m really happy with how I played, really aggressively.”
Flexing a steel bicep emoji after defeating Kasatkina, Badosa will next face countrywoman Cristina Bucșa to reach the quarterfinals for a second straight season.
“I’m working every day, and that’s one of my goals, to be back on top. I like to play big matches. I like to be in the last rounds of tournaments so I’m looking forward to be back on that level.
“I still know I was that player, and I still believe in myself, and hopefully I’m back there very soon.”
Might the Spaniard drive off with a Porsche of her own by week’s end?