Paula Badosa reacts to surviving Tereza Martincova challenge in Indian Wells

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World No. 7 Paula Badosa admitted she was nervous during the Indian Wells Masters opener but was glad afterward that she escaped with a 6-2 7-6 (4) win over Tereza Martincova. "I think it was a pretty tough match," Badosa said in her post-match press conference.

"As I said on court, I never won a set against her so I was quite nervous. I really want to do well here, as you know. I'm really excited and happy that I went through the match today." Martincova claimed a routine win over Badosa when they clashed in Ostrava in 2020.

"I think the difference was I played against her [over a year] ago," said Badosa. "I think I've improved a lot in so many things. Mentally, but physically as well, because I think it was a very physical match. I could show the way and how much I improved today after playing against her.

I'm really happy about that and how much I improved the last year."

Badosa aims to defend her Indian Wells title

Badosa, who won her first Masters title in Indian Wells last year, is taking it match by match in the desert.

"Every match gives you a lot of confidence. Confidence is tough to get and easy to lose. To be honest, after Dubai and Doha, I wasn't happy, I had tough days after all. For me it's very important to go match by match. Every match gives me confidence again," Badosa noted.

"I know my priorities. But as well I try to enjoy it when I have it because it's part of our job. So I think as you can see always on court and all parts of me, I try to give it all. That's what I do there. It's a job for me as well, and I try to put everything on that." Badosa plays next Sara Sorribes Tormo.