A Tough Battle in the Capital
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka dug deep to overcome Marta Kostyuk in an 84-minute marathon, finishing with a 7-6(4), 7-6(7) scoreline. The Ukrainian mounted late pressure in both sets, saving a match point in the second and forcing a breaker before rain delayed play and led to a closed roof.
With 48 unforced errors and three saved set points, Sabalenka said postmatch: 'Honestly, that was a battle and conditions were incredibly tough. It wasn't about tennis, it was about the way you handled your emotions. I'm super proud I was able to handle myself in such a difficult situation.'
Svitolina's Clay Court Mastery Continues
Joining Sabalenka in the final four is Elina Svitolina, who blitzed Moyuka Uchijima 6-2, 6-1 in just 52 minutes. The 30-year-old Ukrainian champion in Rouen last week remains undefeated on clay this season, extending her win streak to 11 matches and 22 consecutive sets.
Svitolina is the first Ukrainian woman to reach a Madrid Open semi-final, setting up a blockbuster matchup with Sabalenka for a spot in Sunday's final.
Swiatek Secures Her Spot
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek also advanced to the semi-finals, confirming her status as a favorite in Madrid. While details of her quarterfinal match weren't disclosed, the Polish star's consistency has been a hallmark of her season.
What's Next?
Fans can look forward to two high-stakes semi-finals, where experience meets momentum. Will Sabalenka's firepower overcome Svitolina's clay-court wizardry? Can Swiatek maintain her red-hot form? Tune in as the Madrid Open reaches its crescendo.
Reference(s):
Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek advance to semifinals at Madrid Open
cgtn.com
