Aryna Sabalenka, the current champion, had a challenging start in her first match at the Madrid Open. Despite facing strong opposition from Magda Linette, Sabalenka secured a victory with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 on Friday.
During the match, Sabalenka encountered difficulties with her serve but managed to clinch victory with her 10th ace on the final point. A crucial break in the third set, aided by a fortunate bounce off the net, propelled Sabalenka to a 5-3 lead when Linette couldn’t reach a shot that grazed the tape.
In other matches, top-ranked Iga Świątek won her opening match on Thursday. Sabalenka, who defeated Swiatek in last year’s final and also claimed victory in 2021, is progressing in the tournament.
Meanwhile, in the men’s competition, Andrey Rublev, ranked eighth, ended a four-game losing streak by defeating Facundo Bagnis with a score of 6-1, 6-4. Rublev’s previous victory was at Indian Wells in March.
Additionally, Tommy Paul won his first clay-court match of the season against Lukas Klein with a score of 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-4, after missing the Monte Carlo tournament due to injury.
Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion, is scheduled to begin his title defense against Alexander Shevchenko later on Friday, despite earlier concerns about his fitness.
