Halep beats No. 2, crowd favourite Badosa to return to Madrid Open last 16

Simona Halep played some of her best tennis at the Madrid Open again in defeating home crowd favourite Paula Badosa in straight sets to reach the last 16 on Saturday for the seventh time in 11 appearances.

The two-time Madrid Open champion had 21 winners as she defeated No. 2-ranked Badosa 6-3, 6-1 on the Caja Magica centre court.

"I knew that I have to be for every point focused and to give everything I have, and I did it great today," the 21st-ranked Halep said. "I'm really pleased with the way I played."

Badosa, at a career-high ranking, converted only one of her seven break points against Halep. The Spaniard broke through on home soil last year with a run to the Madrid semifinals as a 62nd-ranked wild card.

"She's played at a really good level, all of her merit, and I haven't played very well," Badosa said. "I missed absolutely everything. That's why I was only able to win four games. ... At the important moments, the ball fell her side, and at the end of the day we just have to give her an applause. That's why she's a champion in this sport."

Stunning performance! ✨ ✨<br><br>