Swiatek outlasts Sabalenka to secure maiden Madrid Open title in epic showdown

Could there have been a more captivating final in the history of the Madrid Open? The highly anticipated tennis showdown between the world's top-ranked Iga Swiatek and world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka had all the makings of an exceptional affair. But little did we anticipate just how sensational, nail-biting and timeless this encounter would turn out to be.  

After three grueling hours and 11 minutes of play, spanning three exhausting sets, with over 70 winners, neither competitor could gain the upper hand. Yet, when all seemed lost, Swiatek defied the odds and summoned her inner strength. On the brink of defeat, she remarkably saved three championship points, emerging as the victor and securing her very first title in Madrid.

In last year's final between these two top stars, it took a truly sparkling display from Sabalenka to dethrone Swiatek. This time around, after an early exchange of service breaks, they settled into a more composed rhythm, with the focus shifting towards the dominance of their serves. 

Swiatek faced a critical test as she started to accumulate unforced errors, requiring her to summon her resilience and save three break points to even the score at 3-3. In the ensuing game, the tables turned, granting Swiatek opportunities to break her opponent. However, Sabalenka saved both chances with a pair of forehand winners. Nevertheless, it was Swiatek who seized the initiative, capitalizing on her opponent's errors to claim a 6-5 lead. Displaying nerves of steel, she held her serve to secure the set.

Sabalenka, who had previously overcome a set and a break deficit to triumph over Elena Rybakina in the semifinals, made a dazzling start to the second set by confidently holding her serve and then breaking to take a commanding 2-0 lead. This sparked a flurry of four consecutive breaks of serve, only interrupted when Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion, held her serve to level the set at 3-3.

Sabalenka made a determined effort to prevent her rival from finding a comfortable rhythm, and her persistence paid off when the pressure got to Swiatek as she served to stay in the second set. With a well-executed forehand down the line, the Australian Open champion delivered a decisive blow, leveling the match at one set apiece. 

Seizing the early initiative in the deciding set, Sabalenka broke serve to surge ahead with a 3-1 lead, piling on the pressure. However, Swiatek fought back tenaciously, battling her way back into contention and finding herself serving to stay in the match not just once, but twice.

Despite Sabalenka's two missed championship points, Swiatek showed the strength of character and forced a thrilling tie-break. As tension mounted, Sabalenka's forehand went long, granting Swiatek her first match point. Although Sabalenka responded with an ace, the Polish talisman was soon presented with another opportunity. Once again, Sabalenka's shot sailed long, igniting joyous celebrations for Swiatek and her coaching team.

The final was an absolute rollercoaster, with both players battling fiercely until the very end, and the outcome hinging on incredibly narrow margins. Swiatek, reflecting on the match points she faced, candidly shared her thoughts, "I was, like, okay, whatever. It's not the first time in my life. I'm just going to go for it." In that crucial moment, she summoned her courage and decided to unleash a thunderous, fast serve, showing incredible bravery. As the match entered the tie-break, Swiatek felt a resurgence of hope, knowing that the end could be near.

The triumph was Swiatek's 20th career title, with an impressive eight of those victories earned on clay. Notably, she now stands as the victor of every major clay court event on the WTA tour. Reflecting on her achievement, Swiatek expressed a whirlwind of emotions, stating, "For sure I'm really proud of myself and really happy because when you have matches like that, and when you actually have to fight through some stuff, it makes it even better. So I'm really proud of myself."  

With formidable opponents like Sabalenka pushing her to her limits, it's only a matter of time before Swiatek reaches even greater heights.