World number two Aryna Sabalenka played a superbly attacking game to beat Inga Swiatek in the Madrid Open final on Saturday for her first win on clay against a top-ranked opponent.
The Belarusian won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to capture the title in the Spanish capital for the second time.
As of Saturday, the 25-year-old had lost her last three encounters with Pole on clay without winning a single set.
“It’s something incredible. I’m really happy that I’ve been able to fight against him and I’ve been able to get this win so it’s not so boring for people to watch our matches,” said the 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 long rallies. It’s not just a bomb, it’s a bomb.”
The big-hitting Belarusian avenged her loss to her Polish opponent in the Stuttgart final a fortnight ago with a thrilling victory to end Swiatek’s first nine-match winning streak over her French Open defence.
Two-time Roland Garros winner Swiatek fought back in the match after an explosive start by Sabalenka, but the second seed came back strongly in the third set to win the first WTA 1000 final since 2014 involving the top two ranked players.
Sabalenka earned her 13th career title, and only her second on clay, in two hours and 25 minutes, winning her fourth championship point with a forehand cross-court winner.
“I’m very happy with this win, especially against Inga on clay, she’s always tough matches,” said Sabalenka.
The Australian Open champion started with great intensity in her serve and forehand, given some extra zip by the altitude – Madrid is the second highest European capital city.
Sabalenka earned two break points but was too eager to convert a winner and Swiatek held for 3–3.
She did the same again on Swiatek’s next serve but this time earned a break to lead 5–3 when the top seed sent a backhand.
The 2021 Madrid winner consolidated to take the first set, her first against Swiatek on clay, after losing their previous three clay clashes in straight sets.
‘No fun at 1 p.m.’
Swiatek, who failed to earn a single break point in Sabalenka’s opening set of four, converted her first in the second set for a 2-0 lead as her opponent returned to the net.
The world number one mixed it with love, showing flashes of her usual prowess on clay.
Although trailing 3–1, Sabalenka earned four break points in a row, and broke back on serve with a strong backhand winner down the line.
The Belarussian again strengthened Swiatek on her serve, but the Pole dug deep and saved two break points.
Swiatek showed his good defensive play and broke again for 5–3 and served it out to force a deciding third set.
Sabalenka broke for a 2-0 lead as Swiatek went long, and saved a break point with a vicious forehand and then consolidated another.
Swiatek fought back but Sabalenka again opened up a 5-3 lead and after missing three championship points, the 21-year-old fought back to win in the end.
“Sometimes it is difficult; Sometimes it’s easy. That’s why we have variety in tennis and that’s why sometimes players are playing better on some surfaces and some are better on different surfaces.”
The world number one lashed out at tournament organizers late into the night last week, with matches regularly finishing in the early hours.
“It’s not fun playing at 1 a.m. though,” he added.
In Sunday’s men’s final, home favorite and world number two Carlos Alcaraz aims to defend his title against German lucky luger Jan-Lennard Struff.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)