Badosa Advances to WTA 500 Quarterfinals, Faces Saville Next

Mérida, Mexico — Paula Badosa, the second seed, secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Mérida Open after defeating Romania’s Jacqueline Cristian 6-2, 6-1. The match, which took place on February 27, lasted one hour and seven minutes.

Badosa, ranked 11th in the world, displayed a commanding performance, breaking Cristian’s service in the sixth game of the first set and maintaining control throughout the match. “I knew that by playing my game, things would turn out well; it means a lot to start with such a strong result,” Badosa said after the match.

The Mérida Open, classified as a WTA 500 event, features a prize pool of over $1.5 million and is played on indoor hard courts. Cristian, currently ranked 85th in the WTA, pressured Badosa at the beginning but ultimately struggled, committing 23 unforced errors.

Badosa’s performance improved as the match progressed, winning eight consecutive games against a visibly frustrated opponent. “From the outside, everything looked good; I served well, but there are things to improve. A first round is never played perfectly,” she added, acknowledging areas for personal improvement.

In her next match, scheduled for March 1, Badosa will face Australia’s Daria Saville, ranked 121st, who reached the quarterfinals after defeating Anhelina Kalinina in a three-set match (4-6, 6-2, 6-2). Saville’s strong service game has significantly improved, making her a formidable competitor despite her lower ranking.

Badosa is aware of the challenges Saville represents, saying, “I didn’t remember losing to Cristian in Chiasso back in 2019; I played without a sense of revenge but with the determination to perform at my best in a tournament where I am the second seed.”

Expressing her emotional connection to Mexico, Badosa stated, “Maybe Mexico is the country where I feel most excited to play. I’m from Spain, but I’ve always felt welcomed here. I didn’t plan to play this week, but when I saw the tournament was in Mexico, I didn’t hesitate to come. I told my team, let’s go, even though I’m tired.”

The quarterfinal match against Saville will take place on March 1, starting no earlier than 2:30 AM CET at the main court. Fans in Spain can watch the match live on DAZN and Tennis Channel. Tennis Channel España is available through subscription and offers free streaming on platforms like Samsung TV Plus and LG.