World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka dominated four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in a lung-busting Mutua Madrid Open thriller on Monday.
Sabalenka, a three-time champion in Madrid, reached the quarterfinals for the fifth time in Madrid and has won 15 times in a row.
The Belarusian recorded a 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 6-2 success against former world number one Osaka in an entertaining encounter.
“It was absolutely incredible,” admitted Sabalenka. “She played really amazing tennis and I think I was lucky to hit two shots in the third set, so I felt like the match went really fast, but overall it was a really amazing match.”
“I’m glad she brought the fight. I had to fight and raise my game. I’m happy with my performance.”
From Osaka, Sabalenka added: “She is such an inspiration in sports like tennis and coming back from pregnancy is not easy!”
“To see her come back, she’ll definitely be in the top 10. It’s really amazing and inspiring. She gives us all hope that she can go and have a baby and come back and still play tennis at that level.”
speaking sky sports tennisNaomi Broady said it was her “favorite match” of the tournament so far.
“Sabalenka’s ability to maintain intensity is second to none. That loss will bother Osaka, but Sabalenka is by far the best player in women’s tennis at the moment and Osaka was right, so maybe after a few days she should have a lot of confidence going into this match.
“It seemed like Osaka lost faith in the back end of the third set, but she was as good as Sabalenka up to that point. I think we’re starting to see the old Naomi Osaka.”
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Hayley Baptist was furious after committing back-to-back double faults during the tie-break against Belinda Bencic at the Madrid Open.
Hayley Baptist Despite coming off a big win over Belinda Bencic and advancing to the quarterfinals, she vented her frustration.
The 30th seed raced to a 6-1 lead in the opening set before Bencic tied the match with a 7-6 (16-14) win in a marathon tiebreak.
Baptiste responded strongly, sealing the decider 6-3 and setting up a mouth-watering encounter against Sabalenka.
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Highlights of the match between Baptiste and Bencic
Tennis has a new problem
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Madrid Open match highlights between Rafael Jodar and Joao Fonseca
home hero Raphael Jodar After defeating Joao Fonseca, he became the eighth teenager to reach the round of 16 in the history of the Madrid tournament. These include Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.
Jodar, 19, beat the 27th seed 7-6(7-4) 4-6 6-1 in a highly anticipated third-round clash featuring the only teenage players in the top 100.
“It was a very tough match,” Jodar said. “Joao is always a tough player, so this game is decided by very small details and many small points. In that respect, I tried to play my game and I think I did a really good job.”
speaking about tennis channelTwo-time French Open champion Jim Courier said: “I like the simplicity of having my dad in the box. There’s no fuss, he comes out and puts it down. He puts up a big serve in the opening set and his forehand speed is incredible.
“Tennis continues to throw good things at us in the absence of the ‘Big Four’ and Venus and Serena at their peak.
“This is fantastic. We have an exciting new name.”
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