Madrid Open 2024: Iga Swiatek outlasts Aryna Sabalenka in epic women's final
World number one Iga Swiatek got the better of Aryna Sabalenka in an epic Madrid Open women's singles final on Saturday (4 May).
The Polish star won 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7) to claim her first title in the Spanish capital and avenge her defeat to Sabalenka in last year's championship match.
After both players were broken in their opening service games, there was very little to choose between the pair. But Swiatek, who has been top of the women's tennis world rankings since winning November's WTA Finals in Cancun, broke in the 11th game before serving out to take the first set.
The defending champion had endured something of a slump since retaining her Australian Open title in January. Having rediscovered her form in Madrid, she broke early in set two with Swiatek hitting back immediately before the players exchanged breaks again in the following two games. After that, the set went with serve until the 10th game when a blistering forehand down the line saw Sabalenka level the match at one set all.
The pair traded blows like old gunslingers in the final set. Sabalenka broke first to lead 3-1, but the 22-year-old broke straight back.
With Swiatek serving at 5-6, Sabalenka brought up championship point at 30-40. The world number one survived before producing a trademark 'lasso' topspin cross-court forehand to save a second and force a final tiebreak.
The first minibreak went the way of Sabalenka, but she was unable to stay ahead. And after three hours and 11 minutes, the second seed sent a backhand long with Swiatek able to celebrate a first Madrid triumph and her third title of 2024.
