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.
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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.