Aryna Sabalenka battled past Magda Linette in a tight three-set match at the Madrid Open to reach the third round. The defending champion faced a challenge in the second set but managed to regain control to secure the victory. Despite having a perfect record against Linette in their previous encounters, Sabalenka faced a tougher test this time around. She will now potentially face British No.1 Katie Boulter in the next round, depending on the outcome of Boulter’s match later on Friday. Sabalenka acknowledged the tough battle she had against Linette but expressed her satisfaction with being able to close out the match.
Elena Rybakina also progressed to the third round with a straight-sets win over Lucia Bronzetti. The world No.4 faced some resistance from the Italian player but ultimately emerged victorious after a relatively quick match. Rybakina will now face either Marta Kostyuk or Mayar Sherif in the next round. Despite some struggles with her first serve percentage and easy mistakes during the match, Rybakina was pleased with her performance overall and reflected on areas she can improve in the upcoming matches. She expressed her happiness at securing the win and her determination to continue improving her game as she progresses in the tournament.
In her match against Linette, Sabalenka managed to break through the Pole’s serve in a closely contested first set, eventually winning it after a second set point. However, Linette put up a strong fight in the second set, breaking Sabalenka’s serve for the first time and taking a 3-1 lead. Despite this, Sabalenka was able to regain control and secure the victory in the deciding set. The match was characterized by ups and downs for both players, but Sabalenka’s ability to close out the crucial points ultimately made the difference in her favor.
Rybakina faced a tough challenge in her match against Bronzetti, who showed resilience in the early stages by breaking back after being initially broken on her opening serve. However, Rybakina managed to maintain her composure and eventually secured the win in straight sets. While she acknowledged some areas of improvement in her game, Rybakina was satisfied with her overall performance and looked forward to continuing her progress in the tournament. The Kazakh player’s ability to stay focused and make necessary adjustments during the match proved to be key in securing her victory.
Both Sabalenka and Rybakina showcased their resilience and ability to overcome challenges in their respective matches at the Madrid Open. Despite facing tough opponents and moments of uncertainty, both players managed to maintain their composure and secure important victories to advance to the next round. As they continue their campaign in the tournament, Sabalenka and Rybakina will look to build on their performances and make further improvements to their game to ensure success in the later stages of the competition. Their determination and competitive spirit will be key factors as they face off against top players in their quest for victory at the Madrid Open.
