Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the WTA Madrid match.
World No.9 Paula Badosa opens her WTA 1000 Madrid campaign with a first-round encounter against Veronika Kudermetova, who advanced comfortably by defeating her sister in the round of 64 (6:2, 6:2).
Paula Badosa
It is worth noting that this marks Paula Badosa’s debut appearance at her home tournament, a factor that brings both added motivation and increased pressure. However, there is a significant drawback: the tournament is played on clay — a surface that has historically posed difficulties for Paula Badosa. Her most recent outing on clay dates back to June 2024, nearly a year ago, and it did not yield any notable results. Additionally, she has been out of competitive action for a full month, raising valid concerns regarding her current match fitness.
Veronika Kudermetova
In contrast, Veronika Kudermetova has looked increasingly comfortable on clay. Over the past month, she has featured in tournaments across the United States and Germany, playing six matches and winning four. Her latest defeat came against world No.13 Diana Shnaider, but even then, Veronika Kudermetova delivered a commendable performance (7:5, 2:6, 3:6).
Paula Badosa vs Veronika Kudermetova Prediction
Paula Badosa’s form remains an unknown quantity heading into Madrid. Veronika Kudermetova, by comparison, arrives with momentum and, crucially, is already acclimatised to the clay surface. That could prove decisive, which is why the prediction leans in favour of Veronika Kudermetova.
