With each passing day at Wimbledon, the fun gets doubled. It is time for the third-round matches in London and the players are all set to showcase their dominance yet again. One of those stars is Paula Badosa. Having made her way into the third round of the event, she looks unstoppable at the moment and has her sights set on the title.

However, her road to the top won’t be easy at all. Standing her way this time around will be the Russian powerhouse Daria Kasatkina. The Russian, who has had a spectacular grass season so far does not know how to stop and is in fine form as well. With the stage set for a thrilling encounter, who among the two will make their way into the next round?

Paula Badosa vs Daria Kasatkina: Preview

Ranked No. 93, Paula Badosa reached the third round with wins over Karolina Muchova and Brenda Fruhvirtova. In the second round, Badosa defeated Fruhvirtova 6-4, 6-2, scoring 64 points to Fruhvirtova’s 46, with 26 winners. Badosa served 7 aces and committed 6 double faults. She lost her serve 3 times but saved 4 break points.

Badosa put in 61% of her first serves, winning 74% of those points and 32% on her second serves. She broke Fruhvirtova 6 times, converting 86% of her break points. Badosa hasn’t dropped a set, winning 58% of her points played. She has a 15-12 record in 2024, 4-1 on grass.

On the other hand, Daria Kasatkina, ranked no. 12 in the world, reached the third round with wins over Shuai Zhang, Yuriko Miyazaki, and Paula Badosa. In the second round, she dominated Miyazaki 6-0, 6-0, scoring 53 points to Miyazaki’s 19, with 17 winners.

Kasatkina’s serving was key, with 2 aces, 1 double fault, and winning 85% of her first serves and 69% of her second serves, without conceding a break. She broke Miyazaki six times. Kasatkina has won 64% of her matches over the past decade and boasts an 8-1 record on grass in 2024. She won the Eastbourne title and holds a 28-13 record this year.

Badosa vs Kasatkina: Head-to-head

When it comes to the head-to-head statistics between the two players, the scores are level. These two stars have faced each other a total of 4 times out of which both of them have come out on top on 2 occasions, thereby leveling the statisitics. Their first battle came back in 2022 during the WTA Sydney Open. In what was a clear dominance by Paula Badosa, she came out on top in the match and won it in straight sets. The final scoreline of the match ended, 6-2, 6-2.

On the other hand, their most recent encounter came last year year at the Stuttgart Open. While this time there was a change in surface, the result was still the same. Paula Badosa came out on top in an intriguing match and won it with the scoreline of 6-1, 6-1.

Prediction: Daria Kasatkina could end Paul Badosa’s run at Wimbledon

Coming into the match, both stars will be determined to get their hands on a win. While both have started their campaign with a bang, predicting a winner could be hard in this match. However, things incline a bit towards Daria Kasatkina. The Russian superstar, after clinching her title in Eastbourne has momentum going in her favor and looks unstoppable at the moment on grass.

If Paula Badosa wants to win the match, she will have to bring out something extraordinary from her pocket and stun the Russian. With the stage set for a popcorn match, who will come out on top in the match? Whst are your thoughts on this? Do let us know in the comments below!