Aryna Sabalenka opened her 2025 Madrid Open campaign with a commanding victory, overcoming a spirited challenge from Anna Blinkova to book her place in the next round. In a match that showcased her full array of skills, Sabalenka, who finished as runner-up to Iga Swiatek last year, secured a 6-3, 6-4 win on Friday.
Entering the tournament as the world number one, all eyes were on Sabalenka to see how she would start her journey in Madrid this year. True to form, the Belarusian star delivered a performance that mixed power, precision, and mental toughness, particularly when faced with adversity in the second set.
The first set saw Sabalenka take control early, utilizing her trademark aggressive baseline game to keep Blinkova on the defensive. Her powerful groundstrokes and reliable serve set the tone as she wrapped up the opening set 6-3 without facing too much trouble.
However, the second set provided a different story. Blinkova, determined not to bow out quietly, raised her level significantly. She pushed Sabalenka into longer rallies, forcing errors and putting pressure on the top seed’s service games. In the 10th game, with Sabalenka serving for the match, Blinkova had a golden opportunity to level the set when she earned a break point at 30-40.
Showing the resilience that has become a hallmark of her game, Sabalenka remained unfazed. She saved the break point with a crisp cross-court winner, then followed it up with another sizzling shot that forced a missed return from Blinkova. Finally, Sabalenka sealed the match in style, firing an ace that left her opponent swinging and missing, unable to keep up with the pace and precision.
Speaking after her victory, Sabalenka acknowledged the challenge Blinkova presented but expressed satisfaction with her ability to stay composed under pressure. Her strong mental game combined with her physical dominance makes her one of the clear favorites as the tournament progresses.
Joining Sabalenka in the next round is fellow seed Jasmine Paolini, who impressed with a clinical performance against Britain’s Katie Boulter. Paolini made quick work of her opponent, cruising to a 6-1, 6-2 win in just 60 minutes. The Italian looked sharp throughout, demonstrating why she is considered a dangerous contender in the draw.
Data Debrief: Sabalenka Makes History
With her victory, Aryna Sabalenka added another feather to her cap: she became the ninth woman in history to compete at the Madrid Open as the reigning world number one. Even more impressively, she continued a perfect trend — every woman ranked number one who has played their opening match at the Madrid Open has won, and Sabalenka kept that record intact.
This stat not only underlines Sabalenka’s dominance but also highlights the weight of expectation that comes with being the best in the world — a pressure she handled with poise and determination.
As the Madrid Open unfolds, Sabalenka’s mix of raw power, tactical intelligence, and mental strength will make her extremely difficult to beat. If she continues playing at this level, it would not be surprising to see her go one better than last year and lift the trophy this time around.
Fans eagerly await her next match, wondering who — if anyone — can stand in her way on the road to another Madrid final.