Madrid, Spain - In a captivating showdown at the Madrid Open, Iga Swiatek emerged victorious over Aryna Sabalenka in a hard-fought final that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The world's top-ranked player, Swiatek, secured her third title of the season after defeating the second-ranked Sabalenka in a grueling three-set match that culminated in a tiebreaker. The 22-year-old Polish sensation showcased her resilience and determination as she overcame two match points against her to ultimately claim victory.
The match, which lasted an impressive 3 hours and 11 minutes, saw both players displaying exceptional skill and tenacity, with each breaking serve five times throughout the intense battle.
Following her triumph, Swiatek expressed her joy and disbelief at the thrilling encounter, stating, 'Who is going to say that women’s tennis is boring now? Congrats as well to Aryna because we both had an amazing effort today.'
With this win, Swiatek made history by becoming the youngest player to reach 20 titles since Caroline Wozniacki in 2012, solidifying her status as a rising star in the tennis world.
Looking ahead, Swiatek will now set her sights on the upcoming French Open, where she will aim to secure her fourth title at Roland Garros as the two-time defending champion.
This victory also marked a significant milestone for Swiatek, as she completed her collection of European clay-court titles at the WTA 500 level or above, having previously conquered all but Madrid.
Despite a valiant effort, Sabalenka fell short in her quest for a record-tying third title in Madrid, unable to replicate her success against Swiatek from the previous year.
Swiatek's dominance in finals continued, extending her winning streak to seven consecutive finals since her defeat to Sabalenka in Madrid in 2023, further solidifying her reputation as a formidable force in women's tennis.
In the men's final, Andrey Rublev is set to face off against Felix Auger-Aliassime in what promises to be another thrilling match to conclude the Madrid Open.
For more tennis news and updates, visit AP tennis.
