Elena Gabriela Ruse from Romania (Gabi to her fans) has experienced many highs and lows in her still relatively young career, now 27 years old, she has reached three WTA finals including a title win in Hamburg WTA 250 2021, she reached the final of Palermo the very next week, she reached a career high of 51. Her most recent final was at the Transylvania Open in 2023, she entered her home tournament in Cluj care of a Wild Card after a difficult year marred by illness and injury. She backed up this strong week with confident wins for Team Romania in the Billie Jean King Cup Play Offs. Gabi ended 2023 full of confidence and optomism for the new season ahead.

Alas, 2024 started with another injury just ahead of the Australian Open and sadly meaning she also missed returning to Cluj in the tournament’s new slot in February, however she still attended to meet the fans which was a lovely gesture. Gabi worked hard and gradually built up through ITF events and soon returned to tour. At qualifying for the French Open last year she made it to the last round and was just a little short, she did however qualify for Wimbledon and the US Open and ultimately returned to the Top 100 where she is back this year as a direct entry. She was excellent in her first round against American McCartney Kessler, Gabi has been impressive all year. Gabi is a fighter with a big heart and always plays with power, energy and a smile. She is a glorious shot maker and a natural crowed pleaser, she brings value to every court she graces.

Her opponent in the second round is Spain’s Paula Badosa who is also no stranger to injury; the head to head is split, Badosa winning their most recent in last year’s US Open in a tight match tiebreak. Their third meeting promises much and is likely to be a three set thriller as the previous two were. This could be an excellent match, see you on Thursday!

Not long to go now, the court is just being watered…

A few words on Court Simone Matthieu as the line judges come out, it’s a beautiful sunken court, surrounded by a greenhouse. Two tiers with the upper having unreserved seating. Very modern and pleasant, one of my favourite courts.

Gabs just about to walk on.

Players warming up, Badosa won the toss and chose to serve.

1-2 Court stands are a little empty so far, perhaps fans are grabbing a few baguettes after the Zverev match. Edgy opening service point by Paula but soon settles to hold convincingly to 15. Slightly tentative opening points from Gabi but an exquisite drop shot winner settles her nerves at 15-30 yet she nets the next one to give Badosa a break point and a backhand error follows, first blood to the Spanish player. Postive body language from Gabi she wrestles her way into a Badosa service game at 30-30 super tennis from the Romanian now, hitting sweetly on both wings, a long rally which she seals with an inside in forehand winner. Break point which Badosa is able to save for deuce. A cute little backhand return winner from Gabi and it’s break point again. Another long rally sealed with a cross court backhand winner. The nerves of the previous game have gone for now and Gabi is in this match!

3-2 That Ruse backhand is looking delicious now as she fires another sublime winner up the line and draws a Badosa error with it on the next point. There is a double fault midway through the game but it is a ultimately a strong game as that’s the only point she does lose. Gabi opens up the next Badosa service game early, an error from the Romanian allows Badosa to level but she’s 15-30 down with her own unforced error, Gabi hooks a cross court forehand but it just sails long for 30-30. She then pushes Badosa to deuce, she’s looking very lively. Gabi continues to dictate, she playing very aggressive, the Badosa errors fly off the racket and Gabi is up a break!

5-2 More strong tennis from Gabi, hitting the ball cleanly and getting forward on the first point, she holds to love to extend her advantage, she is serving brilliantly now. It’s another lush drop shot winner on the first point of the next game. She does very well with a lob on the next one but Badosa pushes her into an error and then goes in front with some big hitting. Badosa misses a volley at the net on game point and Gabi drives her into another error for deuce. Another error and a double fault gives Gabi a sizable lead.

6-3 Gabi powers to 30-0 but Badosa draws her in with a drop shot Gabi gets to it but Badosa shoots an impressive passing shot winner which gets a sporting ‘Bravo’ from Gabi. A big Forehand winner gives Gabi set points, Badosa saves one and then a double fault takes us to deuce. Gabi’s first serve has desserted her, she is soon facing a break point and another double fault let’s Badosa back in. A few more Ruse errors are creeping in, as the physio and the doctor are waiting for Paula Badosa. Neither player are running with it now and flurry of errors followed by a double fault give Gabi the opening set.

Badosa is having her blood pressure taken, worrying scenes, she has had so many injuries we hope she is okay!

6-3 1-0 If Gabi was not already aware Badosa was not quite right she will be now. Not easy for her too, she has to focus on her side of the net. She starts with an error but holds confidently to 15.

6-3 1-2 Paula Badosa does not look good at all, slightly laboured in her movement, she looks like she is going to be sick but she powers her way through a strong service hold to 15. The crowd are doing their best to push her along too. Gabi again loses the opening point of her service game and is made to work hard to get to 15-15 after a long exchange. A bit of a mis hit from Badosa drops over the net which throws Gabi completely then a couple more unforced errors later Badosa has broken! But she wants the doctor again at the sit down.

6-3 2-3 A long tentative rally starts the next game, neither player seems in full control of it and Gabi eventually goes long. Another mistake follows but she gets to 30-30 with another brilliant drop shot winner. Yet another backhand error gives Badosa game point. Gabi fights hard in the next point works her forehand forward into an attacking position at the net to strike a backhand winner into the ad Corner for deuce. But Badosa is hanging around and gets out of the game with a crunching forehand winner. She’s not going to give this to the Romanian! Badosa still striking big whenever she can and punishes Gabi’s second serve at 30-0 yet Gabi holds and seals the game with yet another beautiful drop shot winner. Badosa is still threatening but if Gabi can find the consistency she can do this in two even if she is down a break.

6-3 2-5 A long rally starts the next game both players hitting big side to side and Gabi ends it with another gorgeous drop shot winner. Badosa still looks to be physically struggling but hitting out as much as possible and she’s staying in the rallies too, a Gabi error gives her a game point and another for the hold. Badosa screams ‘Come on!’ at the very top of her lungs. Gabi just going off the boil again, a couple of errors give Badosa a dangerous 0-30 opening. Gabi thinks she’s a hit a blaster into the corner but there’s a late call and the umpire comes comes down with the finger of doom! Break points follow, Gabi goes long again and Badosa is a double break up!

6-3 4-5 Gabi starts the next game still complaining about the out call and pointing to the mark, she channels her frustrations in the right way and goes up 0-40. She then breaks to love! She’s got to go for it now. Unpredictability on the other side of the net if she can lock in, she can still take this in straights! Yet there are still a few more errors coming from the Ruse racket, she is pushed to 30-30 and another wild backhand gives Badosa set point. Gabi saves it calmly with an Ace. This is followed by an unreturned serve, great serving Gabs! She then serves her way out of trouble. It’s a weird match, it feels that Gabi is aware she is in control but she’s letting her foot slip of the accelerator at crucial times!

6-3 4-6 Badosa kicks off with a double fault but Gabi cannot capitalise as a forehand down the line goes long. Gabi forces forward to 15-30 but Badosa levels with a big serve. A couple more Ruse errors and it’s one set all!

Well three sets was predicted but it has happened under very strange circumstances!

Final set here we go!

6-3 4-6 0-1 An important opening service game for Gabi, she loses the first point. She is struggling to find first serves. Super point at 15-30 a very long exchange ended with a delicious drop shot winner from Gabi to boost the confidence! She’s still low on first serves and a double fault on game point takes us to deuce. Gabi is really fired up as she gets to game point screaming ‘Let’s go’ and fist pumping but she is pegged to deuce again, a booming backhand up the line but Badosa gets it yet the drop shot again saves Gabi. Still cannot convert the game point and back to deuce then a double fault give Badosa a break point. Another second serve destroyed but Badosa as she thumps it into the deuce corner. Gabi is broken!

6-3 4-6 1-2 Its early days set three, Gabi continues to be aggressive and works her way to 15-30 just misses with the backhand on the next point. Then a forehand error to give Badosa a game point. Gabi’s cross court backhand winner gets her to deuce. She then pumps one into the deuce corner at the net for break point but Badosa saves it with a backhand up the line bullet. Another long point this time the Gabi drop shot attempt misses and game point Badosa but here comes relentless Ruse again with another backhand winner, both playing well now, both animated ‘Come ons’ and fist pumps everywhere. Gabi saves a game point with an excellent volley at the net which licks the baseline, she orchestrates the crowd but Badosa fights on and eventually consolidates the break. Gabi needs first serves now! Badosa now impresses with a drop shot winner to get to 30-30 Gabi claws it back to 40-30 with a series of ‘Haides’ she throws everything into the next point, both are smacking the cover off the ball now, a big backhand down the line is not enough and Badosa forces the error. Every point a huge investment by both now. Gabs is getting game point after game point, an Ace sets her up again yet Badosa wins the end to end backhand battle again. Then Gabi finds that deuce corner again with a forehand winner, what a game! Gabs can’t find the first serve again on game point, she is getting annoyed with distractions from the crowd. Another second serve punished by Badosa. But Gabi keeps going and finally escapes. Badosa still has the break but that was a colossal game for Gabs to win!!!

6-3 4-6 2-3 Strong point from Gabi finding the backhand again but Badosa’s defending is resilient and she eventually forces Gabi into a forehand error. It is enough for Badosa to run away with it and hold to love. Now the pressure is right back on Gabi! Gabi quickly up 30-0 an incredible Badosa return winner off the forehand gives her a fright but big bossing forehands from Gabi see her through the service game. The physio is called for Gabi and it’s an off court examination

Gabi is back!

6-3 4-6 3-4 Gabi has some strapping on the right leg, she enters the Badosa service game at 15-40 and a banging backhand gets her closer before Badosa slams the door to push ahead and is two games away. Pressure back on Gabi as she serves. A stat shows Gabi has won 11 points at the net so far to Badosa’s 3, good indicator of how aggressive she is playing. Gabi holds to love, the dream still is alive!

6-3 4-6 4-5 Gabi charging in again, attacking forehand backed up with a volley winner, a statement of intent early in the game. Badosa digs her heels in but Gabi pushes her to 30-30. Backhand from Gabi nets and it is game point Badosa who throws in a double fault now deuce and this could still be anyone’s. Badosa follows up with two Aces would you believe it? And now she is a game away! Big serving now from Gabi booming Ace down the T for 30-0 but she sends a forehand a fraction long to let Paula in the game, another huge serve to give her game points. Badosa wrestles her way into a rally and Gabi nets. However another big forehand winner into the open court and Gabi is safe. She has one last chance at the Badosa serve!

Gabi goes into lockdown, big hitting to take her to 0-30 it is another huge backhand battle between the two warriors and Badosa is in. Gabi pushed into the deuce corner tries the lob pass but it just misses. Badosa battles to a match point and it is sealed by another Gabi error. Heart goes out to Gabi especially for the fight in the final set but an incredible effort from Paula Badosa, credit to her.