Iga Swiatek took her revenge on Saturday to win the Madrid Masters over Aryna Sabenka a year after losing to her rival in the Spanish title match.
The world No.1 Pole defeated her second-ranked rival 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7), taking three and a quarter hours to finish the job and saving three match points along the way.
Swiatek improved to 7-3 in the career series, lifting the trophy after saving five break points while breaking five times in the marathon final.
The top seed has now won her last eight finals; she now owns 20 career titles including four Grand Slams – three on clay at Roland Garros.
Swiatek claimed the opening set 7-5 from 0-30 down after breaking in the 11th game.
Sabalenka struck back to level the match at a set each before Swiatek
winner to lead 3-1. Swiatek answered immediately, breaking at 15 by increasing the intensity and pace of her baseline hitting. After Sabalenka wiped out an opening for Swiatek to break at 4-4, 0-30, Swiatek responded with her most decisive hold of the match to level at 5-5.
Serving to take the match to a deciding tiebreak, Swiatek saved two match points to force a deciding tiebreaker.
The Pole finally triumphed after saving the trio of match points and claiming the win as Sabalenka returned long.
Swiatek said she hoped the pair would contest “:many more finals.”
“It’s always a challenge playing against you. Thanks for motivating me and forcing me to be a better player.”
Sabalenka, whose former boyfriend died after plunging off a Miami balcony last month in an apparent suicide, said:
“The last month has been intense for me, but I’m speechless right now.
“I tried to make the match as long as possible and enjoy it for as much as I could./
“I hope next year (the final) goes to me,” said the two-time Madrid winner.
Main photo:- Iga Swiatek with Madrid Masters Trophy – by ISF Ltd
