Phoenix 24
The Spaniard starts her race toward the US Open.
BÅSTAD, SWEDEN — July 2026. Paula Badosa began her campaign at the Nordea Open with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over fellow Spaniard Marina Bassols. The former world No. 2 completed the first-round match in one hour and 36 minutes on the Swedish clay courts. Her performance offered an immediate response after the disappointment of her early elimination at Wimbledon.
Badosa entered the WTA 125 event seeking competitive rhythm and valuable ranking points after falling outside the world’s top 100. The tournament represents a temporary return to clay immediately after the grass-court season, an unusual scheduling decision driven by her urgent need to recover positions. She must climb sufficiently in the rankings to secure direct entry into the US Open and avoid competing in the qualifying rounds.
Against Bassols, Badosa controlled the most important moments and prevented the match from developing into a prolonged Spanish battle. She took the opening set 6-3 and maintained her authority in the second, closing the contest 6-2 without surrendering a set. The victory earned her 14 ranking points, while winning the title in Båstad would provide a maximum of 125.
The result arrived less than a week after Badosa suffered a painful first-round defeat against Emma Navarro at Wimbledon. The Spaniard led 5-2 in the deciding set and served for the match before losing five consecutive games, allowing the American to complete a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 comeback. Although the defeat ended her Grand Slam campaign prematurely, portions of her performance indicated that her competitive level was beginning to return after another period marked by physical problems.
Badosa’s participation in Båstad reflects her willingness to rebuild through smaller tournaments rather than waiting for invitations to the largest events. The Nordea Open is played from July 6 to 11 on outdoor clay and offers competitors outside the elite ranking positions an opportunity to accumulate matches, confidence and points. For the Spanish player, every victory now carries additional importance in her attempt to recover lost ground.
Her next opponent will be Colombia’s Emiliana Arango, the tournament’s sixth seed and a player positioned close to the top 100. It will be their first professional meeting and another important test of Badosa’s physical continuity after a demanding opening half of the season. Progressing deeper into the tournament would strengthen her attempt to enter the US Open directly.
Other Spanish players also advanced in Båstad, reinforcing the country’s presence in a tournament offering crucial opportunities below the main WTA Tour level. For Badosa, however, the challenge carries additional significance because every match forms part of a race against the rankings and the calendar. Her opening victory did not complete the comeback, but it provided the first necessary step.
The road back begins with victories earned away from the spotlight.