Iga Swiatek, the reigning top-ranked player, triumphed in what she described as “the most intense and crazy final” of her career, securing a hard-fought victory over Aryna Sabalenka. This thrilling rematch in the Madrid final lasted a grueling three hours and eleven minutes, showcasing Swiatek’s resilience and determination on the Spanish capital’s court.
Fighting back from a 1-3 deficit in the decisive set and staving off three match points in total, Swiatek clinched a thrilling 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) triumph, seizing her maiden Madrid Open title in a nail-biting showdown.
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“Who dares to call women’s tennis dull now, huh?” Swiatek exclaimed with a grin. With this victory, she not only secured her 20th career title but also clinched her ninth at the prestigious WTA 1000 level. Adding to her impressive streak, Swiatek has triumphed in her last eight consecutive finals, showcasing her unmatched skill and determination. Furthermore, she now shares the top spot for victories this season with Elena Rybakina, boasting an impressive tally of 30 wins.
Admitting to feeling the pressure during the initial two hours of the match, the 22-year-old Pole revealed that she found solace in the mental fortitude of Rafael Nadal, drawing inspiration from his ability to elevate his game when it mattered most.
“In the third set, I was surprised at how mentally strong I felt,” Swiatek shared, reflecting on her remarkable resilience. With this win, she extended her lifetime record against two-time Madrid champion Sabalenka to 7-3.
“Watching Rafa, I recalled several matches where he faced similar challenges,” she added, highlighting the influence of the tennis legend on her mindset during crucial moments.
“I remember exactly when he was playing (Daniil) Medvedev in Australia (Open final in 2022) and it clicked for him. He also struggled for a bit of time, he was tense and I think stressed. That kind of gave me hope that maybe it will click, even after two hours.”
In the warmer temperatures, though breezier than usual conditions at the Caja Magica, the atmosphere was electric as the pair exchanged breaks to kick off the final. The intensity remained palpable as they stayed neck and neck until Swiatek capitalized on a forehand error from Sabalenka to break for 6-5, sealing the 61-minute opening set on her first opportunity.
Despite relinquishing an early 2-0 lead in the second set, Sabalenka fought back, earning a set point on Swiatek’s serve in game 10. With a lightning-fast down-the-line forehand winner, she forced a decider, setting the stage for an exhilarating climax.
It marked the fifth time in six matches this fortnight that Sabalenka had found herself in a grueling three-set duel, showcasing her unwavering determination to go the distance.
In the decisive set, the defending champion seized a 3-1 lead, unleashing a barrage of deep, powerful shots at Swiatek. However, her lead was short-lived as Swiatek fought back, saving a pair of match points on her own serve at 5-6, setting the stage for a thrilling tiebreak.
With both players delivering standout performances, the high-quality affair fittingly culminated in a deciding tiebreak. Sabalenka showcased her resilience, saving a match point at 5-6 with an ace, but ultimately fell short as Swiatek clinched a heroic victory on a long backhand from Sabalenka.
Reflecting on the match, Swiatek described it as “the most intense and crazy final I played.”
Despite the loss, Sabalenka expressed confidence in her resurgence, citing her battles in Madrid as instrumental in regaining her top form. She acknowledged the tough defeat but expressed pride in her efforts against her fellow “Big Three” rivals, Rybakina and Swiatek, during the fortnight.
“I really want to see many more finals against her,” said Sabalenka, emphasizing her determination to elevate her game and continue competing at the highest level. “It’s really motivating me a lot to keep working and to keep improving myself just so I stay there and get as many wins against them as I can.”
