Indian Wells (United States) (AFP)

The new queen of the desert is Spanish: Paula Badosa scored a big blow on Sunday in the WTA circuit by winning in the final at Indian Wells against the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 7-6 (7/2).

At 23, Badosa confirms that she is one of the revelations of the year.

The Spaniard won the second title of her career, after the one gleaned in Belgrade earlier in 2021, even if it was thanks to the abandonment of the Croatian Ana Konjuh.

Above all, she who had started the year at the 70th place in the world and presented herself in the Californian desert in 27th place will now make a leap in the WTA rankings and integrate the gratin.

“Every morning I wake up and my dream is to win a tournament like this,” said the New York native.

"I have to keep working hard and still believe in it."

To reach the Sunday final of Indian Wells, on the occasion of her first participation in this Masters 1000 tournament, the N.21 seed had not lost a single set, eliminating in the last rounds successively the American Coco Gauff, the Czech Barbora Krejcikova (seed N.3), the German Angelique Kerber and finally the Tunisian Ons Jabeur.

The Spanish Paula Badosa during her match against the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka in the final of the Indian Wells tournament, October 17, 2021 Frederic J. BROWN AFP

- "I wanted to play like Vica one day" -

The final was very intense, with above all a very tight first and third heats.

In the first set, Badosa broke twice, Azarenka broke twice.

The tie-break saw Badosa lead 4-0, but Azarenka fell back to 5-5, before the Spaniard won after a spectacular rally.

The Spanish Paula Badosa collapses after her victory in the final of Indian Wells, October 17, 2021 Frederic J. BROWN AFP

Azarenka quickly recovered by going it alone in the second set, leading 3-0, then 5-2.

The third set offered other thrills: Azarenka served to win the match at 5-4, but Badosa managed to thwart this dynamic, then to show a second time very solid in the tie-break, winning on the first of his four match points.

She then collapsed, face down and her hands hiding her face, before going to wipe her tears in the arms of her trainer.

"I remember when I was 14, 15, I saw you playing in Grand Slam, and I told my coach that I wanted to play like Vica one day. Without you and players like you, I wouldn't be here. here, "the Spaniard told the Belarusian during her speech after receiving the trophy.

Paula Badosa (right) and Victoria Azarenka after the final in Indian Wells, California, October 17, 2021 Frederic J. BROWN AFP

Azarenka on her side failed to become the only player to win this tournament three times (after 2012 and 2016).

The 32-year-old two-time Australian Open champion and 2020 US Open finalist is still chasing her first tournament win in 2021.

© 2021 AFP