Sabalenka made to work in victory over stubborn Osorio
Contrasting styles can often make for the most entertaining of tennis duels and Aryna Sabalenka’s narrow third-round victory over Camila Osorio on Saturday was just that. On one side of the net was world No.2 and reigning Australian Open champion Sabalenka, with her booming serves and massive groundstrokes that are particularly lethal in Madrid’s altitude. […]
The No.1 keeps her foot to the floor in the Caja Mágica
The streak goes on. Iga Swiatek has won all five of her matches on clay so far this year and is now in the third round at the Mutua Madrid Open. The recent champion in Stuttgart was unfaltering in her Friday opener in the Caja Mágica, where she beat Julia Grabher 6-3, 6-2 in just […]
Pegula looks to repeat as she opens with victory in Madrid
Jessica Pegula arrived at this year’s Mutua Madrid Open as one of the hot favourites to claim the title on Saturday the 6th of May. The 2022 finalist is hoping for, at least, a repeat of last year’s performance. She is dreaming of emulating her compatriot Serena Williams by becoming just the second US player to […]
Krejcikova finding her clay footing in Madrid
This time last year, Barbora Krejcikova was in the middle of a three-month hiatus from the tour, nursing an elbow injury, and wondering if she would be able to take to the courts at Roland-Garros for her title defence. She attempted to play in Paris, but lost her opener, and it wasn’t until the end […]
Paula Badosa digs deep
Paula Badosa’s opener at the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday was no walk in the park. But opening with a win will give her a confidence boost and allow her to continue the good form she has shown since the start of the clay swing. The Spaniard needed two and a half hours to see […]
Sakkari tips her hat to Antetokounmpo as she storms into Madrid second round
By Reem Abulleil Maria Sakkari has always been open about the mental challenges tennis players have to deal with on a weekly basis on tour. In a sport like tennis, all players aim for victories but somehow must prepare themselves to lose almost every week, considering there is only one eventual champion in the entire […]
Sherif proud to fly flag for Egypt and Arab world
By Reem Abulleil Tunisian Ons Jabeur unfortunately had to miss out on the opportunity to defend her Mutua Madrid Open title due to a calf injury but in her absence, Egyptian Mayar Sherif is proud to be representing the Arab and North African region at the Caja Magica this fortnight. The highest-ranked Egyptian woman in […]
Burillo’s love affair with the Caja Mágica lives on
Three out of three; from qualies to the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open. Irene Burillo picked up one of the biggest wins of her career on Wednesday in the Caja Mágica. The Spaniard came back to beat Estonian player Kaia Kanepi (6-7[5], 6-2, 6-4). The two and a half hours of battle on […]
Swiatek keen to solve Madrid puzzle
With such a distinguished list of accomplishments so early in her career, it’s easy to forget that Iga Swiatek is still just 21. The three-time Grand Slam champion is into her 56th consecutive week as the world No.1 and has enjoyed a fast ascent ever since she exploded onto the scene by winning the 2020 Roland-Garros […]
Masarova’s dream comes true in Madrid
Rebeka Masarova is unable to wipe the grin from her face, like a child on Christmas morning. She has realised a dream. It will be some time before she forgets April 26, 2023, the day she made her Mutua Madrid Open debut on the Manolo Santana centre court and came out victorious. We spoke to […]