Paula Badosa gets in Laura Siegemund's face, spends her time playing with ball boy while German takes medical timeout during eventful Miami Open clash
Paula Badosa had a rather uneventful day at the 2023 Miami Open on Wednesday, taking on Laura Siegemund in the second round. The first set went in favor of the Spaniard in a tiebreaker, which Badosa won 7-2.
Siegemund took a toilet break at the end of the set, which lasted for more than 10 minutes. Badosa, however, laughed it off, mentally preparing herself for the second set.
The German clawed her way into the match, taking the set 6-4 to force the decider. Unperturbed, Badosa kicked off the final set on the right foot, rushing to an early 3-0 lead. Frustrated with Siegemund's antics throughout the match, including asking the chair umpire to give her a time violation for taking too long on serve, Badosa began celebrating with more gusto than usual, yelling "Vamos!" time and again after winning points.
🫶 You love to see it.
This ball person at the @MiamiOpen takes centre stage with @paulabadosa 🎾
#MiamiOpen https://t.co/hiHCUcFVhu
However, tactically or otherwise, Siegemund called the trainer on to the court at that point, breaking her opponent's momentum. As the medical supervisor worked on the 35-year-old, Badosa did not want to cool down too much and decided to have a hit with a ball person to keep herself moving.
Paula Badosa has had it with Laura Siegemund.
Badosa first set 7-6. Siegemund 11-minute end of set break. Badosa laughed.
Siegemund 6-4 2nd set.
Badosa went 3-0 in decider. Shouted Vamos at Siegemund.
Siegemund called trainer. Now she’s left the court.
As the timeout dragged on, the former World No. 2 delighted fans on Butch Buchholz, exchanging several rallies with the ball boy, who ended up having the time of his life.
Siegemund eventually returned to the court but could not do enough to turn the tables on the 25-year-old, who prevailed 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-2 to reach the third round of the 2023 Miami Open.
Paula Badosa could face Elena Rybakina in the third round of the 2023 Miami Open
Following her victory over Laura Siegemund, Paula Badosa will lock horns with either 10th seed Elena Rybakina or Anna Kalinskaya in the third round in Miami. Interestingly, Badosa also faced Rybakina in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells last week, where the Kazakh prevailed 6-3, 7-5 in straight sets.
Badosa is in action in doubles at the Miami Open as well, partnering with Tunisia's Ons Jabeur. The duo will cross swords with the pair of Asia Muhammad and Anna Danilina in their opener. In singles, meanwhile, fourth seed Jabeur will go up against Varvara Gracheva in her opener.
Badosa reached the quarterfinals of the Miami Open last year before she was forced to retire after just five games against Jessica Pegula.