At the beginning of the first-round match of the 2026 Charleston Open, Paula Badosa and Kayla Day appeared to be able to hold serve. Each kept breaking the other without needing to play elite-level tennis to do so. It was Badosa who righted her ship faster, which helped lead to the victory.
After getting to 3-2 in set one, the Spaniard managed a hold, and then another break, so that it appeared she would sweep into the second set on an upward swing. Instead, she suffered another break and had to break Day again at 5-4 to take the set.
It wasn't beautiful tennis. Both had moments of dazzling play, especially on forehand winners on returns of serve, but that was about it on the Charleston clay. Badosa, for instance, only landed 43 percent of her first serves in the opening set.
Paula Badosa dispatches Kayla Day at the 2026 Charleston Open
She was by far the more aggressive player, however, finishing with 13 winners but 22 unforced errors. Day was just as inefficient with six and 13, respectively.
The second set began much cleaner, though. Badosa held more confidently in her first two service games, while Day on both of hers. Still, the American was able to hold on to stay in the match.
At her best, Badosa can still cause most players on the WTA tour real problems. The issue over the last few years has been various injuries, which have caused the former No. 2 to plummet to her current ranking of 118. Victories at a 500 event, like the Charleston Open, might not mean much to her immediately getting back to the top 10, but can help build momentum for the rest of the spring.
As for her match against Kayla Day, the outcome appeared to be sealed with Day serving at 2-3. Badosa got a break at love, and the American seemed a bit dispirited. The only real concern was whether the Spaniard would revert to her service form of the opening set.
She had a commanding hold to get to 5-2, appearing in her best form of the day. The only question was whether she would need to serve out the match or if she would get another break of the American. It would turn out to be the former as Badosa won 6-4, 6-3.
Paula Badosa will next face Maria Sakkari in the second round. The Greek player had a bye in round one as she is seeded 10th at the event.