Just when it looked like Paula Badosa might lose the point, she delivered a slick stab volley against Caroline Dolehide in the semifinals of the Mubadala Citi DC Open. That moment of brilliance was a hint of her return to top form, the same level of excellence that two years earlier elevated her to the World No.2.

Badosa’s memorable shot set the stage for a title in Washington and strong performances in both Cincinnati and the US Open.