MADRID –
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek defeated Aryna Sabalenka 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7) in a gripping and grueling Madrid Open final to win the title for the first time on Saturday in what was a repeat of last year’s top year clash at the WTA 1000 clay court tournament.
Sabalenka had won the 2023 final in three sets, but it was Swiatek who triumphed this time after saving three championship points to secure her twentieth career title and deny the Belarusian a third title on the red clay of the Spanish capital .
The match was the first match of the season between the top two in the women’s rankings and lived up to expectations. At three hours and eleven minutes, it became the longest meeting between the two Grand Slam champions.
