STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Paula Badosa battled past Diana Shnaider 6-3, 6-4 to set up a match with friend and world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka at the Porsche Grand Prix on Monday.
Shnaider fended off four match points before former No. 2 Badosa took her fifth opportunity at the clay-court tournament.
Badosa’s 10 double faults allowed Shnaider eight break point opportunities. The 20-year-old Russian was unable to take any of them on the center court in Stuttgart.
Sabalenka has finished runner-up on her last three appearances in Stuttgart, losing the final to former No.1 Ashleigh Barty in 2021 and current No.1 Iga Świątek in 2022 and 2023.
Earlier, Sachia Vickery of the United States defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 7-6 (2), 7-5 and will next face compatriot Coco Gauff, the world No. 3.
Gauff, Sabalenka, Świątek and No. 4 Elena Rybakina all received first-round byes. Eight of the top 10 women are at the tournament.
At least 40 villagers shot dead in latest violence in Nigeria's conflict
Republican Sen. Rick Scott softens his abortion position after Florida Supreme Court ruling
Republicans debate ahead of runoff for Alabama congressional seat
Paurova becomes eighth Oregon State player to enter the portal
French Olympic fencer Thibus says she has been cleared of any wrongdoing after abnormal doping test
Biden could miss the deadline for the November ballot in Alabama
Former owner of gas station chain gets Trump's endorsement in Wisconsin congressional race
Supreme Court to hear arguments over mifepristone Tuesday
Haiti’s international airport reopens after gang violence
Praise for Fa'anānā Efeso Collins' efforts to inspire young people
Landmark Paris trial of Syrian officials accused of torturing, killing a father and his son starts
International migrants were attracted to large urban counties last year, Census Bureau data shows