Paula Badosa claimed the biggest title of her career at Indian Wells before declaring: ‘nothing is impossible.’
Badosa became the first Spanish woman to win the title after a hugely impressive display of resilience against former world number one Victoria Azarenka.
After the two players shared the opening two sets, Azarenka broke to go 5-4 up in the decider.
However, Badosa refused to allow her head to drop and she broke back immediately.
From that point on, the momentum always looked like it was with the Spaniard, and she played a brilliant tiebreaker to earn a brilliant 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 win.
“I remember when I was 14, 15 years old seeing you,” Badosa told Azarenka. “I told my coach, ‘One day I hope I can play like her.’
“It was like a roller coaster mentally, emotionally. The first thing I learned this week is that nothing is impossible.”
It was a disappointing end for Azaranka after having the chance to serve for the match, but she remained philosophical afterwards.
“This year has been challenging a bit,” she said, “but finishing on a strong note, not necessarily with the result I wanted but with the progress I wanted to seek, that’s really positive.”
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