Fixture: Paula Badosa vs Mayar Sherif

Date: July 19, 2026

Tournament: Iasi Open

Round: Final

Venue: Baza Sportiva Ciric, Iasi, Romania

Category: WTA 250

Surface: Clay

Prize Money: €246,388

Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports

Paula Badosa will face off against Mayar Sherif in the final of the 2026 Iasi Open on Sunday.

Badosa booked her place in the final after battling past Tamara Zidansek 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(1) in the semifinals, extending her winning streak to nine matches. It has been a remarkable resurgence for the Spaniard, who won the Bastad title just last week and has surged more than 25 spots in the rankings, marking a major step forward after years of struggles with injuries.

Sherif reached the final in equally impressive fashion, defeating Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinals. The Egyptian is enjoying a career-best season, having already won titles in Brescia and Contrexeville, and she arrives in the final on a 13-match clay-court winning streak. It is also her first tour-level final since 2024.

Badosa and Sherif are tied 1-1 in their head-to-head, also 1-1 on clay specifically. This will be their third career meeting.

(Odds via BetMGM)

Badosa's momentum right now is the clearest factor here, riding nine straight wins and a title run in Bastad just last week. That kind of form suggests her body and confidence, both battered by years of injury, have finally aligned at the same time, which is a dangerous combination heading into a final.

Sherif, meanwhile, is in the middle of her own career-best stretch, with two titles already this season and 13 straight wins on clay before this event. She's shown she can grind through tough draws, including snapping a lopsided head-to-head deficit against Oliynykova just to reach this final.

Their history is dead even at 1-1, including on clay specifically, so neither can claim a real edge there. Given how well both are playing right now, this looks like it could come down to whoever's legs hold up better after a long, grueling week.

Pick: Badosa to win in straight sets.

Tip 1: The match will have at least 18 games.

Tip 2: Badosa to win at least one set with a score of 6-4 or better.

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