World No 2 Aryna Sabalenka survived a huge threat in her opening match at the Mutua Madrid Open on Friday, slipping past Magda Linette in a hard-fought battle. Elena Rybakina, Marketa Vondrousova, and Daria Kasatkina also advanced, while Zheng Qinwen, Ekaterina Alexandrova, and Katie Boulter were among 8 seeds to fall in the 2nd round after receiving byes.
Sabalenka shared after her match, “It’s not about being confident. It’s about how much you’re ready to do to get it. It’s about the hard work and to be ready, be ready for the big fights. I feel like confidence is not going to help you in those big matches. It’s about staying there, and fighting for it.”
Sabalenka was tested by Linette, eventually winning 6-4 3-6 6-3 in a 2-hour battle. She admitted she had been struggling slightly lately but expressed her determination to fight for every point throughout the clay season.
Robin Montgomery, a 19-year-old wild-card, caused an upset by defeating the No 26 seed Katie Boulter in a comeback victory. Montgomery showcased her talent and clinched her first Top 50 win since 2022.
In another match, 4th-seeded Rybakina overcame Lucia Bronzetti in straight sets to progress into the round-of-16. She will face Mayar Sherif, who defeated Marta Kostyuk to advance.
Marketa Vondrousova, Daria Kasatkina, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova were among the other notable winners on the day. Kasatkina had to battle hard against Cristina Bucsa to secure her victory.
Overall, it was a tough day for the top seeds in Madrid, with several early exits in the 2nd round. The competition remains fierce as the tournament progresses.
