The US Open, on alert for Badosa: “I like to see that a high-ranked player doesn’t want me”

The US Open is owned by the USTA (United States Tennis Association), the body that governs tennis in the country, which absolutely controls its main source of financing, the last Grand Slam tournament of the season. He is looking forward to having a new male champion to take up the mantle of Andy Roddickwhich dates back to 2003.

Fewer historical emergencies reside in the female team, because the dominance of Serena Williamswhich was also followed by the triumph of Sloane Stephens, in 2017, and the coronation of the young Coco Gauffin 2023.

This latest American champion, who just lifted the first trophy of the season a week ago at the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati, is the great sporting asset of the USTA, and the local fans. They see this prognosis more clearly than Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton or Frances Tiafoe.

That is why there is a certain alert for the night session this Thursday, Spanish dawn on Friday, at one o’clock. New York does not like it at all that the Spanish has appeared in Gauff’s way, already in the second round. Paula Badosaworld no. 87 but on his day no. 2. A danger when he has the game, and he liked his performance against Daria Kasatkina.

I said it Paula Badosa before facing the tournament, when the draw was already made: “I like to see that perhaps some high-ranked player does not want to see me. That the opposite often happens to me.”

Already Coco Gauff22 years old and number 4, is not amused. The record is revealing, Paula Badosa has beaten the American 5 out of 8 times, including the last two: a few months ago on the grass in Berlin, 1-6, 6-3 and 6-2, as well as in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open 2025, 7-5 and 6-4.

An important test for both at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the complex’s headquarters. Another factor that can help Badosa, one of those players who perform better in high-profile scenarios and when the rival bears the responsibility.