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'You did an incredible job,' Aryna Sabalenka falls just short of the finish line against Iga Swiatek at the Madrid Open Final

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Laxman Naren | Last updated 5/5/24

Iga Swiatek clinched victory at the Mutua Madrid Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a grueling three-hour match. Sabalenka’s bid for a third Madrid Open title fell short as Swiatek claimed this year’s championship.

However, no one can deny that Sabalenka did give it her all against Swiatek. From a set down, she fought her way back into the game to find herself with three championship points. However, the Pole saved all those points before winning one herself.

I’m supposed to start from Iga. Congrats on another great tournament. You did an incredible job. Hopefully next year it goes to me. 3 hours. That’s a long one. Hopefully, we recover fast for the next tournament. said Aryna Sabalenka during the post-match interview

This was the 10th encounter amongst the two, with Swiatek extending her lead to seven to Sabalenka’s three wins. Despite everything happening around her, Sabalenka managed not to let it affect her tennis and recorded another brilliant run in Madrid.

Aryna Sabalenka after losing to Iga Swiatek in Madrid final:

Actually I’m supposed to start from Iga. Congrats on another great tournament. You did an incredible job. Hopefully next year it goes to me . 3 hours. That’s a long one. Hopefully we recover fast for the next… pic.twitter.com/usETVeEw9M
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 4, 2024

Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek played the season’s longest-ever WTA Finals

Aryna Sabalenka, the WTA No.2, displayed an amazing range of tennis at the Madrid Open finals against Iga Swiatek. It was one of the most-awaited matches and the Belarusian was aiming for her third overall and second consecutive Madrid Open title.

Unfortunately, she was denied that by the World No. 1. Though Sabalenka had her chances, it was Swiatek, who capitalized and got the wins timely. Nonetheless, it was a tiring match for both of them. They went on for a little more than three hours (3 hrs 11 mins to be exact) before Swiatek won it 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7).

This ended another brilliant run from Sabalenka, who fell just short of the finishing line. However, this is not the last for her, who will return once again on court for the next tournament, the Rome Open.

For Swiatek though, it was her 20th career victory and third of the season with the Madrid title, making her the youngest player to reach this milestone since Caroline Wozniacki in 2012. With three Roland Garros titles under her belt, Swiatek adds both WTA 1000s on clay to her list of achievements, along with two victories at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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