Sabalenka downs world number one Barty to claim Madrid crown
Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka celebrates winning her final match against Australia’s Ashleigh Barty with the trophy (REUTERS)
MADRID – Aryna Sabalenka was in ominous form as she overpowered world number one Ash Barty 6-0 3-6 6-4 to win the Madrid Open on Saturday.
In claiming victory, the Belarusian gained revenge after being beaten by the Australian in the Stuttgart Open final a fortnight ago.
On a windy day in Madrid, Sabalenka’s first set shotmaking was nothing short of sensational as she combined her trademark big hits from the baseline with deft dropshots to leave the Australian reeling, serving it out inside 25 minutes.
The world number seven had not dropped a set coming into the final and after threatening to run away with the title, Barty finally broke her momentum by breaking in the first game of the second set.
Barty failed to hold on to that advantage but showed her depth of talent to break again and send the match into a decider.
Both players held serve until Sabalenka broke Barty to love to go 5-4 up before serving out to secure the win.
