The reigning champion of the Madrid Open, Aryna Sabalenka showcased her resilience as she overcame a set and a break deficit to defeat Elena Rybakina, securing her spot in the final on Thursday.
Despite a shaky start, the Belarusian powerhouse rallied back to claim victory with a scoreline of 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/5), setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch against world number one Iga Swiatek, reminiscent of last year's showdown.
Sabalenka's formidable opponent, Swiatek, demonstrated her dominance earlier, breezing past Madison Keys with a commanding 6-1, 6-3 win. With a spotless display on clay, Swiatek's strategic prowess left her opponent with little room to maneuver.
Meanwhile, in the men's draw, third seed Daniil Medvedev's journey was cut short due to injury as he retired from his quarter-final clash with Jiri Lehecka, paving the way for a new contender in the semi-finals.
Despite facing initial setbacks against Rybakina, Sabalenka's relentless pressure on her opponent's serve eventually paid off, leading to a thrilling comeback and securing her place in the final.
Reflecting on her performance, Sabalenka expressed her gratitude for staying in the game, emphasizing the intensity of the match and acknowledging Rybakina's skill on the court.
As the stage is set for the much-anticipated rematch between Sabalenka and Swiatek, anticipation runs high for a clash of titans on the Madrid clay courts.
