Swiatek, Sabalenka Reach Madrid Final
Thursday’s action at the Madrid Open saw world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka reach the finals.
First up, Swiatek ended the hopes of No. 18 seed Madison Keys, defeating the American 6-1, 6-3. Slamming five aces and winning 69 percent of her first serve points, Swiatek broke serve on four occasions.
Swiatek will next face Sabalenka in Saturday’s final. The Belarusian ousted Elena Rybakina 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) later in the day.
Sabalenka and Swiatek have faced off on nine occasions, with the Polish star owning a 6-3 lead.
On the men’s side, No. 3 seed Daniil Medvedev was forced to withdraw from his quarterfinal encounter with No. 30 seed Jiri Lehecka. After losing the first set 6-4, Medvedev retired with an abductor injury.
Lehecka had ended Rafael Nadal’s career at the Madrid Open on Tuesday.
The Czech start will next face Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the finals.
Friday’s other semifinal in Madrid will feature No. 7 seed Andrey Rublev taking on No. 12 seed Taylor Fritz.
Watch all the action live this week from Madrid on Tennis TV.
Get ready for the year’s second Major today, with great tickets to the French Open in Paris. Nadal is set to play his most successful event for perhaps the last time in his career.