Aryna Sabalenka, the world No.2, defeated Iga Swiatek in an enthralling final to win the WTA 1000 Madrid trophy. The match, which lasted for 2 hours and 25 minutes, was a battle of top-quality rallying, with both players pushing each other to the limit. Sabalenka won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to claim her second Madrid title after winning in 2021. In the first set, Sabalenka dominated with her serve and faced no break points, but Swiatek came back stronger in the second set. Sabalenka was ahead 4-3 in the final set, but Swiatek managed to level it up at 3-3. Sabalenka then edged ahead with a backhand shot, which frustrated Swiatek, who gave a sarcastic grin and thumbs-up to her box. Swiatek saved three match points, but Sabalenka eventually won the match with her second championship point. In another article, the match was described as “spectacular, fantastic, and intense”, and Sabalenka’s victory was seen as a significant achievement as she had never won a straight-sets match against Swiatek before on clay.
Sabalenka had never won a straight-sets match against Swiatek, with her two previous victories coming in three sets, both in the WTA Finals. The world No. 1 would have been confident going into the match, having won all three of her previous matches on clay against Sabalenka in straight sets. However, Sabalenka was determined to take revenge after Swiatek beat her in straight sets in Stuttgart less than two weeks prior.
The match was an epic encounter that thrilled fans from start to finish. Sabalenka played with incredible intensity and power, constantly “smashing” the ball and forcing Swiatek onto the defensive. Sabalenka’s victory is a testament to her determination and skill, as well as her ability to overcome her previous defeats to Swiatek on clay. The result promises exciting things to come for the rest of the clay court season.