WTA 1000 MADRID. Spain
Aryna Sabalenka expressed her happiness in ending her lopsided claycourt rivalry with Iga Swiatek after defeating the top seed to claim the Madrid Open title on Saturday. The world No. 2 defeated Swiatek 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to secure her second title in the Spanish capital. Prior to the match, Sabalenka had lost all three of her previous meetings with Swiatek on clay without winning a single set. The victory marks Sabalenka’s 13th career title and her second on red dirt, placing her in an elite group of players to have won Madrid more than once, including Petra Kvitova (3), Simona Halep (2), and Serena Williams (2). The match was eagerly anticipated as it marked the first time since 2014 in Miami that the world’s top two players faced each other regularly in the WTA Tour. Sabalenka’s tour-leading tally for the year now stands at 29-4.
“It’s something unbelievable. I’m really happy that I’m able to fight against her and I’m able to get this win so it’s not like so super boring for people to watch our matches,” said the 25-year-old champion.
“I really enjoy playing on clay, because I have extra time. It’s not super fast, so I can go for my powerful shots. There are longer rallies. It’s like not just bomb, bomb.”