MADRID – Top-ranked Iga Swiatek came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested, to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in the 2023 Madrid final with a gruelling victory after three hours and 11 minutes in the Spanish capital on May 4.
Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time.
“Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” she said.
Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career and ninth at the WTA 1000 level, has now won her last seven finals and joins Elena Rybakina with a tour-leading 30 victories this season.
The Pole confessed she felt tight in the first two hours of the contest, but drew inspiration from Rafael Nadal, and his ability to step up mentally when it mattered the most.
“I was surprised that in the third set I felt the best mentally,” said the 22-year-old, who improved to 7-3 lifetime against two-time Madrid champion Sabalenka.
“One thing that came through my mind was that Rafa had a couple of matches like that. 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 warmer temperatures but breezier than usual conditions at the Caja Magica, the pair traded breaks to kick off the final.
They were neck and neck until Swiatek drew a forehand error from Sabalenka to break for 6-5 and closed out the 61-minute opening set on her first opportunity.
Despite squandering a 2-0 lead early in the second, Sabalenka produced a set point on Swiatek’s serve in the 10th game, forcing a decider with a lightning-fast down-the-line forehand winner.
It was the fifth time in six matches that Sabalenka found herself in a three-set duel and she was clearly ready to go the distance.
The defending champion broke for 3-1 in the decider, peppering Swiatek with deep, powerful shots, but her lead was short-lived.
Swiatek saved a pair of match points on her own serve at 5-6 as the high-quality affair fittingly went to a deciding tiebreak.
Sabalenka produced an ace to save match point at 5-6 in the breaker and saw one of her own slip away as Swiatek survived for 7-7. Moments later, the world No. 1 flung herself to the ground in disbelief as she sealed a heroic victory on a long backhand from Sabalenka.
“It was the most intense and, like, crazy final I played,” said Swiatek.
Despite the loss, Sabalenka felt she has recaptured her best form that saw her retain her Australian Open title in January.
The world No. 2 admitted her level dipped after Melbourne, but her long battles in Madrid have helped her get back to her battling best.
“I’m happy with the level I played,” she said.
“A lot of good things to take out of this tournament, and I’m leaving Madrid with positive thoughts...
“After the Australian Open, I struggled for a couple of months. It’s been intense.
“It was tough to find myself back, but I’m super happy that I was able to bring it all together and to be able to get back to my level.
“It only can get better from now on.”
She said the tight defeat is a “tough one to accept”, but she is proud of her efforts against her fellow “Big Three” rivals Rybakina and Swiatek in Madrid.
“I really want to see many more finals against her,” said the Belarusian, who turned 26 on May 5.
“I really hope that we’ll be able to increase the level every year. I’m really happy to be one of these Big Three, as you call us.
“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.” AFP, REUTERS
