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Paula Badosa came back from a set down to avoid a shock first-round exit at the Thailand Open as the Spaniard was made to work hard before beating wildcard Lanlana Tararudee in her Hua Hin opener.
Badosa, a former world No. 2, entered the match against 298th-ranked Tararudee as the huge favorite. But it wasn't really an easy day at the office for Badosa, who was at one point two games away from losing the match before completing a 3-6 6-4 6-1 win over the Thai wildcard.
Tararudee, 19, came out firing against Badosa, claiming an early break for a 3-0 lead. In the fourth game, Tararudee had a chance to go up by a double break but Badosa managed to save three consecutive break points and get on the board.
After saving three break points, Badosa got the break back in the fifth game. However, blowing an early break didn't impact Tararudee, who broke Badosa again in the sixth game for a 4-2 lead. In the remainder of the set, Tararudee didn't allow Badosa a single break point as the Thai converted her first set point in the ninth game to seal the opener.
Badosa creates a comeback against Tararudee
Down by a set, Badosa bounced back at the start of the second set, breaking Tararudee in the second game for a 2-0 lead. Just when it seemed that Badosa was starting to play better, Tararudee got the break back in the third game.
After blowing an early second-set break, Badosa also faced two consecutive break points in the fifth game - but she saved them to avoid going down by a break. The next break points were seen in the 10th game, when Tararudee was serving to stay in the second set.
On her first set point on Tararudee's serve, Badosa converted her chance to send the match into a decider.
The start of the third set wasn't easy for Badosa but she still managed to win the opening three games. After saving three break points in the first game of the third set, Badosa broke Tararudee in the following game. In the third game, Tararudee had her fourth break point of the set but Badosa again managed to save it and go 3-0 up.
A couple of games later, Badosa earned her second break of the set for a 5-1 lead. Serving for the match in the seventh game, Badosa experienced some difficulties but managed to save three break points before realizing her first match point to complete a comeback win over Tararudee.
In her next match, Badosa plays against Diana Shnaider.