Roland Garros 2021: Paula Badosa vs Tamara Zidansek preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: (33) Paula Badosa vs Tamara Zidansek
Date: 8 June 2021
Tournament: Roland Garros 2021
Round: Quarterfinals
Venue: Paris, France
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Red clay
Prize money: €17,171,108
Match timing: 12 pm local time, 10 am GMT, 6 am EST, 3.30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - NBC Sports / Tennis Channel | UK - ITV | India - Star Sports / Disney+ Hotstar VIP
Paula Badosa vs Tamara Zidansek preview
Paula Badosa advanced to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal by beating 2019 Roland Garros finalist Marketa Vondrousova in a tough three-setter on Sunday. The Spaniard will next lock horns with unseeded Slovenian Tamara Zidansek on Tuesday.
Seeded 33rd, Badosa has made the most of Naomi Osaka's withdrawal from the tournament - a move that blew this section of the draw wide open. The Spaniard, who has won only one Grand Slam match outside Roland Garros, has been in a rich vein of form recently.
She did, however, have to overcome a mid-match blip against Vondrousova before emerging with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win. The result extended her winning streak to nine matches.
Tamara Zidansek's dream run in Paris, meanwhile, commenced with a hard-fought victory over sixth seed Bianca Andreescu in the opening round. The Slovenian then defeated Madison Brengle in straight sets in the second round before coming back from a set down to get past doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova in the third.
On Sunday, Tamara Zidansek came up against an in-form Sorana Cirstea, but she blitzed the Romanian en route to a straight-sets victory. The win ensured Zidansek became the first ever Slovenian woman to reach the last eight of a Grand Slam.
Paula Badosa vs Tamara Zidansek head-to-head
Pauka Badosa and Tamara Zidansek have never faced each other on the tour, so their head-to-head is currently tied at 0-0.
Paula Badosa vs Tamara Zidansek prediction
Both Paula Badosa and Tamara Zidansek will be playing in a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time, so nerves are bound to play a role. But Badosa has had a terrific clay season and is on a nine-match winning streak, making her the slight favorite in this match.
The Belgrade champion, who reached the semifinals of both Madrid and Charleston 1 this year, will rely on her powerful groundstrokes to keep her opponent on the backfoot. Badosa's clean hitting from the baseline has been instrumental in her recent success, and she will once again look to take the initiative early.
Zidansek has also been solid from the baseline in this tournament, and will look to use her heavy topspin forehand to trouble her opponent. The Slovenian's defense has been a major highlight this week, and she will look to engage in long rallies to try and force errors off her opponent's racquet.
That said, Badosa's confidence and momentum will likely take her through to the semis.
Prediction: Paula Badosa to win in three tight sets.
Please help Sportskeeda improve its tennis coverage by taking this 30-second survey.