Spain’s Paula Badosa clinches Indian Wells final

Indian Wells, US, Oct 18 (EFE).- Paula Badosa beat Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-2 (2) to clinch the Indian Wells Masters final Sunday.

She became the first Spanish woman to claim what is known as the ‘fifth Grand Slam’ and rose 14 places in the WTA rankings, where she now sits in 13th.

It was a tightly-fought battle that saw Badosa snatch the first and final sets in a tie-break. The Belarusian, two-time Indian Wells champion, managed to pull back in the second set.

This was the 23-year-old Spaniard’s first ATP Tour Masters 1000 final, which she reached after victories against heavy-weights such as three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber and current world No. 4 Barbora Krejzikova.

With the $1.2-million Indian Wells title in her pocket, Badosa will set her eyes on the WTA Finals slated to take place in Guadalajara, Mexico in November, where the eight best players in the world compete.EFE

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