Paula Badosa was scheduled to face Mayar Sherif in the Hamburg Open quarterfinals on July 24. The match came four days after Badosa retired from their Iasi Open final meeting.
Badosa reached the Hamburg quarterfinals after wins over Katarzyna Kawa and Panna Udvardy. Sherif advanced with victories against Simona Waltert and Elsa Jacquemot.
The pair met in the Iasi Open final on July 20, where Badosa retired while trailing 0-4 in the second set after losing the first 6-4. Badosa cited illness for the retirement.
The head-to-head record stood at 2-1 in Sherif's favor before the Hamburg match, with all encounters on clay. Badosa entered the event with a live ranking of No. 93.