Aryna Sabalenka. Photo courtesy of wtatennis.com
MINSK, 7 May (BelTA) – World No. 2 Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka continued her impressive 2023 run with a win over World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the high caliber final at the Mutua Madrid Open, BelTA has learned.
No. 2 seed Sabalenka was the more aggressive player throughout the match and prevailed 6-3 3-6 6-3 in two hours and 25 minutes to claim her second Madird Open title.
Photo by Diego Souto/Mutua Madrid Open
Two of the world’s best tennis players clashed in a major final for the second time in a row. Aryna Sabalenka lost to Iga Swiatek in two sets 3-6, 4-6 in Stuttgart, Germany in late April.
For Aryna Sabalenka, the Madrid final was the 23rd in her professional career, with 13 wins. On the way to the final match, Sabalenka beat Romanian Sorana Cîrstea (44) 6-4, 6-3, Colombian Camila Osorio (115) – 6-4, 7-5, Russian Mirra Andreeva (194) – 6-3, 6-1, Egyptian Mayar Sherif (59) – 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 and Greek Maria Sakkari (9) – 6-4, 6-1. Aryna Sabalenka claimed her first Madrid title in 2021.
Belarusian Victoria Azarenka and Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia defeated the American-Canadian duo Taylor Townsend/Leylah Fernandez in a three-set doubles semifinal – 6-4, 0-6, 10-6. The Belarusian-Brazilian tandem will take up on the American team of Jessica Pegula/Cori Gauff in the doubles final on 7 May.
