PARIS: Paula Badosa leaned over the net and reached out to hug the Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka after their 77-minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier. The duo was locked in a long embrace that was all respect and some relief.
On another wet, miserable day at Roland Garros, their friendship sparked a warm glow. The day's feel good story. The Sabalenka-Badosa French Open third-round clash, billed as the 'Battle of the Besties', was a contest on many levels. The clay court championship, wearing the look of an inclement weather report, was a booming affair under the roof at Chatrier between two heavy ball strikers.
