Going into Charleston last April, Paula Badosa was ranked No. 71 in the world with an 0-5 career record against Top 20 players.

My, how things have changed.

The big-hitting Spaniard has won 42 of 55 matches since then, picking up her first three WTA titles at Belgrade, Indian Wells and Sydney this past week, and she’s been lethal against the big names in that stretch, too, going 13-5 against Top 20 players.

BADOSA VS TOP 20 PLAYERS SINCE START OF APRIL 2021:
d. No. 12 Bencic in 2021 Charleston 2nd Rd, 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-1
d. No. 1 Barty in 2021 Charleston QFs, 6-4, 6-3
d. No. 11 Bencic in 2021 Madrid QFs, 6-4, 7-5

l. to No. 1 Barty in 2021 Madrid SFs, 6-4, 6-3
l. to No. 5 Svitolina in 2021 Eastbourne 1st Rd, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (1)
d. No. 8 Swiatek in 2021 Olympics 2nd Rd, 6-3, 7-6 (4)
d. No. 3 Sabalenka in 2021 Cincinnati 2nd Rd, 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (4)
d. No. 19 Rybakina in 2021 Cincinnati 3rd Rd, 6-2, 7-6 (5)

l. to No. 4 Pliskova in 2021 Cincinnati QFs, 7-5, 2-0 ret. (w/shoulder injury)
d. No. 19 Gauff in 2021 Indian Wells 3rd Rd, 6-2, 6-2
d. No. 5 Krejcikova in 2021 Indian Wells 4th Rd, 6-1, 7-5
d. No. 15 Kerber in 2021 Indian Wells QFs, 6-4, 7-5
d. No. 14 Jabeur in 2021 Indian Wells SFs, 6-3, 6-3
d. No. 2 Sabalenka in 2021 WTA Finals RR, 6-4, 6-0
d. No. 6 Sakkari in 2021 WTA Finals RR, 7-6 (4), 6-4

l. to No. 9 Swiatek in 2021 WTA Finals RR, 7-5, 6-4
l. to No. 5 Muguruza in 2021 WTA Finals SFs, 6-3, 6-3
d. No. 4 Krejcikova in 2022 Sydney F, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4)

Badosa goes into the Australian Open having won 13 of her last 16 matches, too. The first Top 20 player she could face wouldn't come until at least the fourth round.

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