Tennis

Maria Sakkari's impressive serving performance propelled her to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Donna Vekic in the opening round of the Mutua Madrid Open. Despite struggling with her serve in practice, Sakkari unleashed seven aces to dominate the match.Sakkari's newfound confidence stems from a successful North American swing, where she reached the BNP Paribas Open final, Miami Open quarterfinals, and Credit One Charleston Open semifinals. However, she admits to previously struggling on clay."I didn't have a clear mind the last few years on the clay," Sakkari said. "I didn't know how I had to play or what I had to do."But this year, Sakkari believes she can excel on the surface. "I do believe I can play really good on clay again," she said. "I think my game this year is getting better after the U.S. tour."Sakkari's improvement is attributed to her partnership with new coach David Witt, who has encouraged her to adopt a more aggressive mindset. "I'm trying to stay aggressive on the clay because every player has a tendency to play a more defensive game when they step on clay," Sakkari explained.Despite a busy schedule, Sakkari is determined to maintain her momentum through Roland Garros. "I just have to do what I did in Charleston and things will go well for me," she said.

Naomi Osaka's struggles on clay continue as she bows out of the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open in the second round, succumbing to Liudmila Samsonova in a hard-fought three-set battle. The former world No. 1 has not won consecutive matches on the surface since 2019, and despite a promising start in Madrid, she fell short against the 15th-seeded Samsonova, who snapped a four-match losing streak.Osaka, known for her dominance on hard courts, has been determined to prove her mettle on slower surfaces this season. She kicked off her clay-court campaign early at the Open Capfinances Rouen Métropole, but lost in the first round. However, her strong performance in Madrid, where she defeated Greet Minnen in straight sets, suggested progress.The unseeded Osaka faced a tough draw in Madrid, which pitted her against Samsonova, whom she had beaten on hard courts at the BNP Paribas Open last month. Samsonova, too, has excelled on hard courts, reaching two WTA 1000 finals last season. However, she had been struggling for form since February, losing her last four matches heading into Madrid.The match began with a lightning-fast start from Samsonova, who raced through the first four games as Osaka struggled to find her rhythm. Osaka managed to get on the board, but Samsonova remained unfazed, taking the first set with a love service hold.Samsonova continued her momentum in the second set, breaking Osaka to open and edging ahead 4-2. However, Osaka rallied, winning four consecutive games to level the match at one set apiece. Samsonova double faulted on a third set point, handing Osaka the advantage.The decider was a tense affair, with both players exchanging breaks early on. Osaka saved break points in two service games and came within a game of victory. However, Samsonova fought back, breaking Osaka and serving to stay in the match. She then converted a backhand miss from Osaka to break again and clinch the victory.Samsonova will now face Madison Keys in the third round, who defeated Irina-Camelia Begu in two tiebreakers. Osaka's exit from Madrid marks another setback in her quest to conquer clay, but she will have another chance to prove herself at the upcoming French Open.

Wang Xinyu's remarkable victory at the Mutua Madrid Open has etched her name into the annals of tennis history. The 22-year-old Chinese sensation defied the odds, saving an astonishing 10 match points in a thrilling 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 triumph over Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria.Wang's resilience was tested to the limit as she trailed Tomova 7-5, 5-2 and faced three match points. Undeterred, she summoned her inner strength and saved all three, forcing the match into a nail-biting third set.The drama reached its peak in the eighth game of the third set, where Tomova served for the match. A staggering seven match points followed, with Wang displaying nerves of steel to save each one. After 12 deuces, Wang finally broke Tomova's serve, seizing the momentum and ultimately securing the victory.Wang's triumph is a testament to her unwavering determination and exceptional mental fortitude. The record for the most match points saved in a WTA main-draw match is unclear, but Wang's feat is undoubtedly one for the ages.In the men's circuit, Italian Adriano Pannatta holds the Open Era record for saving 11 match points against Kim Warwick in 1976. However, Wang's achievement is equally impressive, especially considering the rarity of such a feat in women's tennis.Wang's victory is not an isolated incident. On Tuesday, her compatriot Wang Xiyu also saved a match point to defeat Ana Bogdan. And later on Wednesday, Olga Danilovic of Serbia saved four match points to overcome Clara Burel.These remarkable performances highlight the rising talent and resilience of women's tennis. Wang Xinyu's historic win serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere, demonstrating that anything is possible with unwavering belief and determination.

Fabian Marozsan's remarkable victory at the Mutua Madrid Open will undoubtedly be etched in his memory. On Wednesday, the Hungarian displayed unwavering resilience, surviving 11 set points before triumphing over Aslan Karatsev in a thrilling first-round encounter.Marozsan's triumph was a testament to his mental fortitude and unwavering determination. Karatsev, poised to secure a one-set lead, found himself on the brink of victory at 40-0 on his serve at 6-5. However, Marozsan's relentless spirit shone through as he fought back with an astonishing display of resilience.Karatsev's hopes of closing out the set were shattered by a series of unforced errors. He missed seven consecutive set points, including a double fault and a shanked forehand. Marozsan's deep hitting and precise shot-making proved too much for Karatsev, who appeared visibly frustrated.In the tie-break, Karatsev initially held a 6-2 advantage. Yet, Marozsan's unwavering belief propelled him to string together six consecutive points, snatching the set from the jaws of defeat. His inside-in forehand winner and well-placed body serve proved decisive.Karatsev, making his return to competitive tennis after a freak knee injury, struggled to find his rhythm. Marozsan capitalized on his opponent's rustiness, advancing to face No. 21 seed Francisco Cerundulo in the next round.Other notable winners on Wednesday included Borna Coric, Jack Draper, and Daniel Altmaier. These victories set the stage for an exciting tournament filled with thrilling matches and captivating storylines.

Carballes Baena Poised for Triumph at Mutua Madrid Open Against KoepferThe Mutua Madrid Open's first round pits Dominik Koepfer against Roberto Carballes Baena, a match that may not initially captivate, but holds significant potential for an upset. Carballes Baena, a native of Spain, will enjoy the fervent support of the home crowd at this Masters event.Carballes Baena's dominance on clay courts is undeniable. With 78 career victories on the surface, he boasts a wealth of experience that Koepfer, with just 30 ATP-level clay matches, cannot match. The German's recent form on clay has been dismal, with four consecutive losses, including opening-round defeats to lesser-ranked opponents.Koepfer's strengths lie in his powerful serve and baseline play, but the Madrid conditions favor clay-court specialists. His hold percentage on clay is significantly lower than on hard courts, indicating the surface's impact on his game.Carballes Baena, on the other hand, excels in point construction on clay. His defensive prowess and ability to transition from defense to offense will prove invaluable against Koepfer's power. The Spaniard's 25.8% break percentage on clay further enhances his chances of victory.The home crowd's support will provide an additional boost to Carballes Baena's confidence. The adrenaline rush of playing in front of his countrymen will make it difficult for Koepfer to overcome the Spaniard's superior clay-court skills.

Caroline Wozniacki's return to red clay after retirement hit a roadblock at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open. The former world No. 1 fell to Sara Errani in a grueling three-set battle, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5.Wozniacki, who retired in 2020, made her comeback last summer with the Olympic Games in mind. However, her hopes of a medal on her least preferred surface suffered a setback against Errani, a former Roland Garros finalist.Despite winning the first set, Wozniacki struggled to close out the match. She squandered a break point in the eighth game of the second set, allowing Errani to break back and eventually level the match.In the decider, Errani maintained the pressure, breaking Wozniacki's serve early on. Wozniacki fought back to level the set at 4-4, but Errani's relentless return game proved too much. The Italian clinched the victory on her second match point, after attempting an underarm serve on her first.Wozniacki's defeat highlights her struggles in closing matches this season. Half of her losses have come after winning the first set, including at the Australian Open and Miami Open.Despite her setback, Wozniacki has enjoyed success at the Caja Magica in the past, reaching the final in 2009 and the quarterfinals in 2015. She will now turn her attention to the grass-court season, where she has had more success.Errani, meanwhile, advances to the second round, where she will face No. 11 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia.

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.

Tatjana Maria's Daughter Charlotte Maria Embarks on Tournament Journey Without Her No. 1 FanTen-year-old Charlotte Maria, daughter of WTA star Tatjana Maria, is set to make her tournament debut without her biggest supporter in the stands. Her mother, Tatjana, is currently competing in the Mutua Madrid Open, where she recently emerged victorious in a thrilling three-set battle against Peyton Stearns.Despite her absence, Tatjana expressed her excitement for her daughter's tournament participation. "She's super excited to play," she said. "She plays under-12 over there, with all the best little kids from around the world. It's super special and she really enjoys it."Tatjana's victory over Stearns means she will miss Charlotte's first match, but she plans to follow her progress closely through live scores. "I'm pretty nervous already, but she's so excited," said Maria, who has reached a career-high ranking of No. 42 this season.Charlotte Maria, like her mother, possesses a versatile game. "She has a two-handed backhand," Tatjana explained. "She loves volleys and drop shots, and of course, she can play slice. It would be sad if she couldn't!"Tatjana's next challenge will be against another successful WTA mom, Victoria Azarenka, in the second round of the Madrid Open. Meanwhile, Charlotte Maria will strive to make her mark in her first tournament, carrying the legacy of her talented mother.