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.