Roland-Garros: Badosa retires against Kudermetova leaving nine of top 10 women’s seeds out in round three

Veronika Kudermetova benefited from the retirement of Paula Badosa at the French Open on Saturday as the Russian advanced to the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the first time in her career

Spain’s Paula Badosa leaves the court after retiring injured from her third round match against Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova at the French Open Image Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

May 28, 2022

Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova advanced to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career as third seed Paula Badosa retired while trailing 6-3, 2-1 in their third round clash at Roland-Garros on Saturday.

Badosa’s exit, coupled with the loss of seventh seed Aryna Sabalenka to Camila Giorgi on Saturday, means that there is now only one of the top 10 women’s seeds left in the draw – world No 1 Iga Swiatek, who won her third round match on Saturday.

The 29th seeded Kudermetova was the one who started slowly as Badosa went 2-0 up in the first set. However, the Russian fought back and won six of the next seven games to win the first set 6-3 as Badosa received medical attention for her injured knee.

How to turn defence into attack with Veronika Kudermetova 💥#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/dYhO9iuzgA
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 28, 2022

In the second, Kudermetova started well breaking Badosa to lead 2-1 when the Spaniard decided she would be unable to continue.

Kudermetova leads Badosa 4-2 in head-to-head after this win

Kudermetova, who has reached three WTA finals in 2022 – Melbourne, Dubai and Istanbul – had come into Paris after opening round losses in Madrid and Rome. In fact, she had lost to Badosa in Madrid 6-3, 6-0. Badosa had also beaten Kudermetova in Indian Wells this year after losing their first three matches on the tour.

With the win, Kudermetova improves to 4-2 lifetime against Badosa. She will next meet either American Madison Keys, the No 22 seed, or Kazakh Elena Rybakina, the No 16 seed, in the fourth round.

Paris (Grand Slam): Saturday women’s third-round results (Stade Roland-Garros, clay, EUR 43.600.000)