Aryna Sabalenko (2 WTA) won the “WTA 1000” tournament in Madrid, defeating the world leader Igu Sviatek in the final with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Aryna SabalenkoPhoto: Thomas COEX / AFP / Profimedia

Iga Svyatek lost to Aryna Sabalenko in the final of the WTA tournament in Madrid

The first set belonged to the player from Belarus, with whom Iga could only hold until 3-3, from where Arina broke away and won the first action.

The second set was diametrically opposite, Iga Svyatek started strongly and led with a score of 3-0. Belarus leveled the situation, which Poland did not give up.

The decisive one was just as risky. Sabalenko was leading 3-0, tied and eventually won after missing three match points.

Iga Sviatek and Arina Sabalenko also met last month, in the final act in Stuttgart, and the Pole won the match: 6-3, 6-4.

The game lasted two hours and 27 minutes.

Know:

  • This is only the third time in the last 40 years that the WTA No. 1 and No. 2 have met twice on clay in the same season.
  • It was the same in 1984 (Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert at Amelia Island and Roland Garros) and in 2013 (Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova at Stuttgart and Roland Garros). The last final between WTA No. 1 and No. 2 in a WTA 1000 tournament was in 2014, when Serena Williams defeated Na Li at the Miami Open.

Milestones achieved by Iga Sviatek after qualifying for the WTA Finals in Madrid

  • Iga Svyatek qualified in 8 finals from the first 14 tournaments played on clay. Monica Seles was the last to do it (1989-1992 / 13 finals in the first 14 tournaments).
  • Sviatek won his first eight semifinals on clay. Only Peaches Bartkovic (1968-1969) and Venus Williams (1998-2003) accomplished the feat in the Open Era.

The WTA Mutua Madrid Open tournament was held from April 25 to May 7 on the grounds of the Caja Magica complex. It was part of the WTA 1000 category and had a total prize money of $7,652,174. Simona Halep won in 2016 and 2017.