Tennis

Two-time Mutua Madrid Open champion Aryna Sabalenka overcame a shaky start to her 2024 campaign, defeating Magda Linette 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in a hard-fought opening match.Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, faced a determined Linette, who had previously shocked Ons Jabeur at Roland Garros. The Belarusian star struggled with her serve and rhythm in the second set, allowing Linette to level the match.However, Sabalenka's resilience shone through in the third set. Despite facing break points, she held her serve and broke Linette's in the seventh game. The defending champion then served out the match with authority, booking a third-round encounter against either Katie Boulter or Robin Montgomery.Sabalenka's victory in Madrid marks her first clay-court win of the season. The 25-year-old has endured a challenging spring, including the loss of her ex-partner and early exits from other tournaments.Despite her struggles, Sabalenka remains a formidable force on clay. Her two Madrid Open titles and her powerful game make her a contender for the title once again.

Sloane Stephens' Madrid Marathon: A Triumphant Victory and a Lesson in Self-CareSloane Stephens' day at the Mutua Madrid Open was supposed to be a relaxing one, filled with massages, cupping, and acupuncture. However, fate had other plans, as she found herself locked in a grueling three-hour and sixteen-minute battle against Martina Trevisan.Despite squandering a set and 5-3 lead, Stephens emerged victorious on Court 5, extending her win streak to six matches. The victory was a testament to her resilience and determination, as she refused to give up despite facing match points."I told Darian [King] as I was coming back from the bathroom, 'I'm going to die on this court today. I am not losing this match after having these match points. We're just going to be out here forever,'" Stephens said.The win in Madrid marked a successful start to Stephens' red-clay swing, which she typically begins at the Caja Magica. However, this year, she opted to compete at the WTA 250 event in Rouen to maximize her time on her favorite surface and minimize jet lag."I went there to try and fight the jet lag because I'd never really played that early in the clay season," Stephens explained. "I spent one day at home with my family before going out there and was like, 'I'm going to make a little sacrifice and see if it pays off, see if I can get adjusted earlier.'"Despite spending 10 days in Madrid, Stephens admitted that she was still jetlagged. "It didn't help at all," she said with a laugh.Stephens has made a conscious effort to play a fuller schedule in 2024, including rare appearances at Middle East events and a week of doubles in Charleston. She believes that winning breeds winning and that playing more matches will boost her confidence."Kamau always says, 'Winning breeds wining,'" Stephens said, quoting her longtime coach Kamau Murray. "So, the more you can get under your belt, the more matches, the more confident you can feel."With her victory in Madrid, Stephens has set her sights on continuing her good form in her next match against rival Elise Mertens. The two players have split their last four meetings, but this will be their first on clay."Clay neutralizes everything: you have a chance on every ball, you can get your racquet on every ball," Stephens said. "I think it helps my athleticism a little bit, gives me more room to run. The courts are a little bit bigger; there's more space."On her favorite surface with plenty of momentum, all that's missing for Stephens is a good night's sleep.

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, made a triumphant return to the Mutua Madrid Open, defeating Greet Minnen in straight sets to advance to the second round. Osaka, who had been sidelined for the 2023 season due to the birth of her daughter, displayed impressive form on her second clay-court match since 2022 Roland Garros.Despite her struggles on slower surfaces in the past, Osaka looked confident and determined against Minnen. She broke serve early in the first set and maintained her lead throughout, winning 6-4. In the second set, Osaka's dominance became even more evident as she won six consecutive games to seal the victory 6-1.Osaka's victory marks a significant step in her comeback from maternity leave. She has previously expressed her desire to become a more well-rounded player, capable of competing on all surfaces. Her performance in Madrid suggests that she is making progress towards that goal.In the second round, Osaka will face No. 15 seed Liudmila Samsonova, who received a bye. Samsonova is a formidable opponent, but Osaka will be confident after her impressive display against Minnen.Osaka's return to form is a welcome sight for tennis fans. Her unique style of play and captivating personality have made her one of the most popular players on tour. As she continues her comeback, she will undoubtedly be a contender for major titles in the future.

The Mutua Madrid Open, a prestigious WTA 1000 tournament, is set to commence in Spain, featuring the world's top female tennis players. Last week's Stuttgart Open champion, Elena Rybakina, will aim to continue her winning streak, but she faces stiff competition from the likes of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and other elite players.Swiatek, the world number one, remains the favorite despite her loss to Rybakina in Stuttgart. Her exceptional clay-court record and dominance from the baseline make her a formidable opponent. Rybakina, known for her powerful serve, will look to capitalize on the altitude in Madrid, which favors her game.Sabalenka, a two-time Madrid champion, is another contender. Despite a disappointing performance in Stuttgart, she remains a threat on clay. Her aggressive style and strong serve make her a dangerous opponent.Other players to watch include Marta Kostyuk, who has impressed with her consistent performances this season. Her aggressive baseline play and excellent returning skills could pose a challenge to the top seeds.The Madrid Open is played on clay, a surface that favors players with strong groundstrokes and the ability to control the pace of the game. The altitude in Madrid, however, makes the ball bounce higher and travel faster through the air, creating a slightly faster playing surface than typical clay courts.The tournament will provide a crucial test for players ahead of the upcoming French Open. Swiatek will be eager to prove her dominance on clay, while Rybakina and Sabalenka will aim to challenge her supremacy. The Madrid Open promises to deliver thrilling matches and showcase the best of women's tennis.

Casper Ruud has finally broken through the barrier of major tournament victories, capturing his first ATP 500 title in Barcelona. The Norwegian defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final, avenging his loss to the Greek in the Monte Carlo final just a week prior.Ruud's victory in Barcelona marks a significant milestone in his career, as it is his first title at a level above ATP 250. Prior to this triumph, he had reached seven finals at higher levels, including three Grand Slams, an ATP Finals, two Masters 1000s, and another ATP 500, but had always come up short.The Norwegian's success in Barcelona is a testament to his consistency and determination. He has now won 10 ATP titles, all on clay, and has established himself as one of the most formidable players on the surface.Ruud's victory is also a significant achievement for Norwegian tennis. He is the first Norwegian to win an ATP 500 title and has become a role model for aspiring young players in his country.The 24-year-old's triumph in Barcelona is a major boost to his confidence and will undoubtedly motivate him to continue striving for even greater success in the future. With his exceptional talent and unwavering determination, Ruud has the potential to become one of the most successful players in the world.

Aryna Sabalenka's clay-court campaign got off to a bittersweet start as she overcame an injured Paula Badosa in a marathon match at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. The No. 2 seed prevailed 7-6 (6), 4-6, 3-3, retired, reaching the quarterfinals despite an emotional conclusion.Sabalenka struggled early on, but gradually found her rhythm against a determined Badosa. The first set was a tense affair, with both players trading breaks. Sabalenka eventually prevailed in a tiebreaker, winning six of the final seven points.Badosa responded strongly in the second set, breaking Sabalenka twice to take a commanding lead. However, Sabalenka refused to go down without a fight, breaking back and narrowing the gap. Badosa called a medical timeout to address a lower back injury, but returned to serve out the set.The third set saw Sabalenka take control, breaking Badosa twice. However, Badosa's injury worsened, forcing her to retire with Sabalenka leading 3-3. The Belarusian was visibly emotional at the net, comforting her opponent.The victory was bittersweet for Sabalenka, who had been dealing with the recent loss of her ex-partner. She had previously lost to Badosa in Miami, but was determined to turn things around in Stuttgart.Sabalenka's next opponent will be either No. 6 seed Marketa Vondrousova or 2023 Stuttgart semifinalist Anastasia Potapova. The Belarusian will be looking to continue her strong form on clay, having won the Australian Open earlier this year.

Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, made a triumphant return to the clay courts in Stuttgart, Germany, overcoming a spirited challenge from Sachia Vickery in a thrilling three-set battle.Gauff, playing her first match since the Miami Open in March, initially dominated the proceedings, taking the first set 6-3. However, Vickery, a qualifier ranked outside the top 100, fought back valiantly in the second set, breaking Gauff's serve twice to level the match at 1-1.The final set was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both players trading breaks and holding serve. Vickery came within five points of pulling off a stunning upset, but Gauff displayed her resilience and determination, winning 12 of the final 14 points to secure a hard-fought 7-5 victory.Gauff's victory was particularly impressive considering Vickery's previous success against top-ranked opponents. In 2018, Vickery defeated then-world No. 3 Garbiñe Muguruza at the BNP Paribas Open.The win sets up a quarterfinal clash for Gauff against either No. 5 seed Zheng Qinwen or Marta Kostyuk, whom she faced in the last eight of the 2024 Australian Open.Gauff's performance in Stuttgart is a testament to her adaptability and mental fortitude. Despite a long layoff, she was able to quickly find her rhythm on the clay and overcome a determined opponent. Her victory bodes well for her chances of success in the upcoming French Open, where she will be aiming to defend her US Open title.

Naomi Osaka's return to clay courts proved short-lived as she bowed out in the first round of the Open Capfinances Rouen Métropole to Martina Trevisan, 6-4, 6-2. The former world No. 1, who had not played on clay since 2022, struggled to find her footing on the surface, ultimately succumbing to the Italian dirtballer's consistent play.Osaka's struggles on clay have been well-documented, with her decision to withdraw from the 2021 Roland Garros due to mental health concerns being a notable example. However, the 26-year-old has shown flashes of her top form on the surface, reaching the semifinals of the 2019 Stuttgart Open.In Rouen, Osaka began her match against Trevisan with an early exchange of breaks. However, the Italian quickly settled into the match, saving five break points and serving out the first set. Trevisan continued to dominate in the second set, breaking Osaka early and holding on to her serve to secure the victory.Osaka's defeat marks her 23rd loss in tour-level clay matches, with her lone semifinal appearance on the surface coming in Stuttgart in 2019. The result also highlights the challenges she faces in returning to her former dominance, particularly on clay.Despite the setback, Osaka remains optimistic about her comeback. She is scheduled to compete in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix next week, where she will face a tougher field that includes world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.

Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis player, is set to make his second return to action in 2024 at the Barcelona Open. The former world No. 1, who has been sidelined since January 5 due to a hip injury, will play his first professional match on clay court in 680 days.Nadal's return to the Barcelona Open, where he is a 12-time champion, is a significant moment for the 36-year-old. He has been struggling with injuries in recent years, but remains determined to continue playing at the highest level."I'm happy to be here," said Nadal. "I have many very good memories of this tournament. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to be here in recent years. Luckily I was able to come here as a last-minute decision. I think, all things considered, the week of training has been positive. Tomorrow I will be on court."Nadal will face 21-year-old Flavio Cobolli in the first round of the Barcelona Open. The match is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, and will be played on the main court named after Nadal himself.If Nadal wins his first-round match, he is likely to face fourth seed Alex de Minaur in the second round, followed by Arthur Fils in the third round. Monte Carlo winner Stefanos Tsitsipas is also in the same half of the draw.Nadal's return to the Barcelona Open is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite his recent injury setbacks, he remains one of the most popular and respected players in the world. His presence at the tournament is sure to generate excitement and anticipation among fans.