Fasten your seatbelts! Are you ready for the blockbuster clash between America’s Jessica Pegula and the Spanish superstar, Paula Badosa in the R16 of the 2024 China Open? Both of these players have been in red-hot form this year. Pegula has already won 2 titles this season but on the other hand, Badosa also had an outstanding North American hardcourt swing. Who has the upper hand in this enticing contest?

Jessica Pegula vs Paula Badosa: Preview

Jessica Pegula has played some outstanding tennis this season. She won the Grass Court Championships in Berlin before going on to clinch her second title of the season at the Canadian Open. Apart from that, the 30-year-old American has also made it through to the finals in Cincinnati and the 2024 US Open. Here in Beijing, she defeated France’s Diane Parry quite comfortably in the first match. However, in the second match, she took three sets to beat Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova.

Paula Badosa on the other hand, defeated Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova in the first match by 6-3,6-2, and then again in the second match she secured a two-set win over Slovakia’s Rebecca Šramková. Badosa has won the Citi Open this year and also made it through to the SF at the Cincinnati Masters and the QF of the US Open. Can she come up with a sturdy challenge against the American superstar?

Pegula vs Badosa: Head-to-Head

Jessica Pegula and Paula Badosa have faced each other three times in their careers so far, and guess what? Pegula had the last laugh on all of those three occasions.

• 2022 Miami Open QF: Pegula 4-1 (Badosa retired)
• 2023 Charleston QF: Pegula 6-3,7-6(6).
• 2024 Cincinnati Masters SF: Pegula 6-2,3-6,6-3.

Prediction: Pegula to win in three sets

We’re picking the American over the Spaniard in this contest and the reason for it is mainly their H2H record. Apart from that, if we look at their current form and ranking, Jessica Pegula is ranked 3rd in the world and she has a win-loss record of 38-13. On the other hand, Paula Badosa (19) has a win-loss record of just 32-16. So considering all these factors, Pegula seems most likely to get an edge in this nail-biting clash.

Now if we look at their playing styles, Paula Badosa is more of an aggressive baseliner who loves hitting big serves and powerful groundstrokes. In fact, Badosa is one of the fastest servers on the tour! However, a high number of double fault counts is something that remains a big concern for the Spaniard. She has hit 227 aces this season but has committed 256 double faults. Apart from her serves, Badosa has incredible footwork along with her athletic counter-punching ability to disrupt her opponent’s flow in the matches. She can even disguise her opponents with magical drop shots.

Jessica Pegula on the other hand also loves to play an aggressive brand of tennis. She loves hitting flat groundstrokes and she can also utilize her wide wingspan to full effect. Power and precision have also been two key factors in her game. Her favorite shot is the backhand down the line and tactically JP is way more superior than any other player on the Tour. So, we believe she will yet again be spot on with her tactics in this match and come up with a fruitful result against Badosa.