Aryna Sabalenka, the three-time Mutua Madrid Open champion, has kicked off her clay-court campaign with a hard-fought victory over Peyton Stearns. Following a three-week break from competition, during which she was named sportswoman of the year at the Laureus awards, Sabalenka showed signs of rust but managed to secure a 7-5, 6-3 win. The world No 1 acknowledged the challenge posed by her opponent, stating, 'It was a tough match... She's an incredible player and I feel like this court suits her game really well.' Despite not being at her best, Sabalenka expressed relief at being able to bring her best tennis when it mattered most.
Former British No 1 Laura Robson noted that while Sabalenka's performance may not have been perfect, her ability to win in straight sets is a testament to her skill. Robson also pointed out that Sabalenka's break from competition and selective tournament schedule must be taken into account when evaluating her performance.
In other matches, Iga Swiatek dominated Daria Snigur with a 6-1, 6-2 victory, while Elina Svitolina suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Anna Bondar, who became the first Hungarian to beat a top 10 opponent since 2018.