After being sidelined because of injury and missing both Madrid and Rome, the Spanish WTA ace Paula Badosa roared back to life in Strasbourg with a QF finish, then stunned Naomi Osaka in a gritty 3-set victory at Roland Garros. Though her French Open journey ended in the 3rd round, the Spaniard is now making serious waves on the grass, cruising into the QF in Berlin. But her next test? None other than China’s Wang Xinyu: the giant slayer who just took down French Open champion Coco Gauff. As the action shifts to Steffi Graf Stadion, one question lingers: Who holds the edge in this high-stakes grass-court clash?

Paula Badosa vs Wang Xinyu: Preview

Paula Badosa’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster of resilience and resurgence on the tour. It all began with a surprising surge to the semifinals at the AO, a performance that reminded the tennis world of her elite potential. She followed it up with consistent QF runs in Merida and Strasbourg, showing flashes of the top-ten talent many still believe she is. Her recent loss to Daria Kasatkina in a tight 1-6, 5-7 battle was another hard-fought war in Paris. Still, Kasatkina had nothing but respect, saying, “Paula is top ten. She’s an amazing player. She’s been showing very good results. I was ready for a difficult match. I knew if she would get a chance, she’d take it straight away.”

The compelling nature of Badosa’s journey stems from her resilience in overcoming repeated obstacles. She hasn’t let injury or inconsistency define her, instead continuing to push forward with fearless determination on the court. While her Roland Garros campaign fell short of another deep run, her eyes are now locked on Berlin’s lush green lawns, where opportunity knocks once more.

Waiting across the net is Wang Xinyu, a 23-year-old Chinese powerhouse who’s taken the Berlin field by storm. Ranked outside the top 30 (49th), Wang pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the tournament recently, dismantling the newly crowned Roland Garros champion Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3. Add earlier wins over Ons Jabeur and Kasatkina, and Wang is undeniably the dark horse turning heads. Her game? Cool under pressure, lethal in pace redirection, and growing more dangerous with each round.

Although Wang’s run has been extraordinary, Badosa’s proven strength and big-game experience could be the deciding factor in this quarterfinal clash.

Paola Badosa vs Wang Xinyu: Head-to-Head

Has Paula Badosa ever met Wang Xinyu in her career? Yes, they have played each other before! Badosa leads their very young rivalry 1-0, having defeated Wang 3-6, 3-6 in the Wimbledon 2023 R64.

Prediction: Paola Badosa will win this match in three sets

Neither Paula Badosa nor the Chinese wonder girl Wang Xinyu has lifted a trophy this season, but when you dig into the numbers, it’s clear the Spaniard has a stronger hold. Badosa boasts a 17-9 win-loss record in 2025, with a solid 22-14 career mark on grass, numbers that reflect consistency and resilience. In contrast, Wang has had a rockier ride with a 12-14 tally this season, although her 4-1 record on grass (including qualifiers in Germany) hints at a momentum shift. With this QF being their first-ever head-to-head encounter on grass, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Badosa, ranked 10th in the world, holds a significant edge over her Chinese counterpart, who sits at 49th. That gap in the rankings is mirrored in experience and shot tolerance. Badosa’s aggressive baseline game, characterized by powerful groundstrokes and a strong serve enhanced by her height, is her strength. However, she’s more than just physical strength; her court coverage and defensive skills make her equally dangerous, whether she’s retrieving difficult shots or swiftly transitioning from defense to offense.

Wang, however, arrives in Berlin like a thunderbolt, fresh off her stunning upset of the French Open champion. Her 70% 1st-serve win rate and ability to convert two of three break point chances against Gauff show just how clutch she can be. Her movement has sharpened, and her shot selection under pressure speaks volumes of a player stepping into her moment with 7 ITF trophies under her belt. Still, her lack of experience in deep grass-court battles might leave her vulnerable once Badosa raises the tempo in the match.

This matchup promises intensity, with Wang likely to stay toe-to-toe in the early exchanges. But the battle-hardened Badosa is expected to unleash her full arsenal when it matters most, especially for a place in the semis. Given her form, firepower, and finesse, Badosa should edge this thriller in three sets: 2-1 and‌ likely to book her place in the Berlin semifinals!