by Aryna Sabalenka number one in the world.
The Belarusian wasted three match points in a heartbreaking defeat of Swiatek in the Spanish capital 12 months ago, in a high-quality collision that received honor of the WTA game of the year at the end of the season.
Sabalenka aimed a third Madrid Open crown in the Caja Magica in the Caja Magica in the Caja Magica and likes to reflect against Swiadek, although she comes to victory agonently before it falls short.
“This match was a blockbuster, and I really enjoyed it, it was very intense, very long. If I can play on Clay in every game, I think I can do great chances on the Clay Court season this year,” said Sabalenka on Wednesday.
“It was an astonishing match even though I lost it.
“Nothing that I can get upset with to be honest. I did my best there and she just surpassed me.”
Sabalenka arrives in Madrid on the back of a runner -up in Stuttgart, where she fell to Jelena Ostapenko in the final.
The 26-year-old, who won the US and Australian openings in 2024, is still waiting for her first title for Clay since her triumph 2023 Madrid.
The top seed opens her campaign against Anna Blinkova or Panna Udvardy in round two.
This season, Live Electronic Line is called for the first time on the WTA and ATP tours- a decision made with mixed reactions.
While some players like to avoid arguments with referees by relying exclusively on technology, others have questioned the accuracy of the technology, since the repetition does not always match the brand visible on the Clay Court.
“I prefer the HAWK Eye system as the referee, since sometimes referees can be very weak to go there (to check the brand) and to confirm that they have made mistakes.
The campaign of the first round in Madrid on Wednesday promised a recurring Petra Kvitova a 4-1-double break lead on the way to a 6: 4, 6-0 defeat by American Katie Pnynen.
Kvitova came back from a 17-month maternity leave two months ago and played her first Clay Court match for two years.
Str/JC
