Barty beats Kvitova to set up last-four clash with Badosa

Ashleigh Barty will take on Paula Badosa in the semifinals of the Madrid Open after beating Petra Kvitova 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 on Wednesday.

World No 1 Barty is chasing her fourth singles title of the year after her triumph in Stuttgart 10 days ago. In the last four she faces the woman who knocked her out in the quarterfinals in Charleston in early April. On Wednesday, the Australian came out on top against two-time Wimbledon champion and 2015 and 2018 Madrid winner Kvitova.

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Wildcard Badosa became the first Spanish woman in the tournament’s 12-year history to make the semis with her 6-4, 7-5 win over eighth seed Belinda Bencic.