If it has to be on the ground, let it be in Madrid, think about it. Arina Sabalenka, very powerful in his shots, very deadly when the ball accelerates. Belarus’ greatest virtue is diluted on clay, but the altitude of the Madrid capital serves as an alleviation for this handicap. And just like two years ago, Sabalenka took advantage of it. Mutua Madrid Open (6-3, 3-6 and 6-3).
It was a long final (2h25) live and even his and Iga Swiatek, world number two and number one, crush each other over three sets in the Magic Box delivered to the two best tennis players on the planet. The first for Sabalenka, the second for Pole and the third and again for Sabalenka for sure, with intrigue and excitement until the last breath of victory.
Sabalenka had never beaten Swiatek on dirt before., actually lost the Stuttgart final two weeks ago. And of the twelve titles he had won on that surface, only one had been achieved… but that was precisely in Madrid. But favoritism was for the Poles. An old tag that Sabalenka whipped out in one of the best women’s finals ever seen at the Mutua Madrid Open.
Sabalenka started strong
The Belarusian player did not give a single break to his opponent in the first set, where he gradually imposed his dominance on the territory of Madrid. Swiatek tried to broaden the points To minimize Sabalenka’s powerful forehands.
Pole managed to drop 15-40 on his third serve, but could no longer stop his opponent on the fourth serve and lost to the rest, confirming his progressive loss of control over his serve and giving him a chance to win. The first set is in the next game. Sabalenka did not miss the opportunity (6-3).
Swiatek was able to react immediately, win the first three games of the second set, after disrupting Sabalenka’s service in the second. There would be a second set with a much more dynamic scenario than the first set, and the Belarusian regained the service he lost in the fifth game.
He was about to do it again in the seventh lap with Swiatek trailing 15-40. But the Polish woman overcame and not only saved the game, but also after that he got the second ‘time out’ of the game (in two tries, for 10 that Sabalenka had to do the same) and tied the draw (6-3).
Fabulous third set
The third column was a pleasure for the audience and a torture for the audience. Two women brutally beating each other. Again with alternatives, Sabalenka broke her opponent’s serve in the second game and became Swiatek in the fifth game.
At that moment the Polish seemed to be marching towards victory, as he finally managed to rush his opponent and barred his options from the powerful rights that had caused him so much damage.
However, Sabalenka zeroed out again to break eighth and finished 5-3 in a partial set. Only one game remained. But what a game! Swiatek managed to save three matchballs to the rest Until Sabalenka struck the final blow to return to reign in Madrid two years later.