Aryna Sabalenka, a three-time Mutua Madrid Open champion, has triumphed in her first clay-court match of the year, defeating Peyton Stearns after a brief hiatus from competition. Following her 'Sunshine Double' wins at Indian Wells and Miami, Sabalenka took a three-week break before returning to action in Madrid.
Despite appearing slightly rusty, the world No 1 managed to secure a 7-5, 6-3 victory over the American player. In a post-match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Sabalenka stated, 'It was a tough match, my first on clay, and she's an incredible player.' The Belarusian athlete expressed her relief at emerging victorious, acknowledging that she improved as the match progressed. Former British No 1 Laura Robson noted that Sabalenka is often expected to deliver flawless performances, given her impressive 24-1 record in 2026. However, Robson also recognized that Sabalenka's recent break and cautious tournament selection this season must be taken into account.
Robson praised Sabalenka's ability to handle the challenges posed by Stearns, particularly the latter's kick-serve, which was amplified by the high altitude in Madrid. Although Sabalenka's performance was not her best, she still managed to win in straight sets, which Robson saw as a positive sign. The presence of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in Sabalenka's players' box sparked interest, with the tennis star revealing that the two had met through her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis.
Courtois had previously teamed up with Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner, and Jude Bellingham for a photo opportunity at the Bernabeu. In other matches, 2024 champion Iga Swiatek dominated qualifier Daria Snigur with a 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 61 minutes. Swiatek, who learned Spanish in high school, jokingly apologized for not being more proficient in the language.
The Wimbledon champion also shared her admiration for Rafael Nadal, with whom she had trained at his academy in Majorca. Meanwhile, Elina Svitolina suffered a surprise 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Hungary's Anna Bondar, who became the first Hungarian player to defeat a top-10 opponent since Timea Babos in 2018. Bondar attributed her success to the conditions in Madrid, which suited her playing style, particularly her heavy forehand.