World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka outgunned four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in a lung-busting Mutua Madrid Open thriller on Monday.Sabalenka, a three-time champion in Madrid, reached her fifth quarter-final in Madrid, and a 15th consecutive victory.
The Belarusian recorded a 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 6-2 success against former world No 1 Osaka in an entertaining encounter.
From a set and a break down, Sabalenka did what she does best
15th consecutive win, ninth straight win in Madrid23 wins, one loss in Madrid since 2023Fourth straight Madrid quarter-final26-1 in 2026
“That was an incredible level,” admitted Sabalenka. “She played really incredible tennis and I feel like I just got lucky with a couple of shots in the third set which is why is kind of felt it went really fast, but overall it was a really incredible fight.”I’m happy that she brought her fight. I had to fight through and level up my game. I’m happy with my performance.”
On Osaka, Sabalenka added: “She’s such an inspiration and coming back from pregnancy in a sport like tennis, it’s not easy!
“To see her back, for sure she’s going to be top 10. It’s incredible, it’s inspiring. She gives all of us hope that you can go and have a baby, come back, and still play that level of tennis.”
This content is provided by Instagram, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Instagram cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Instagram cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Instagram cookies for this session only.
Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once
Speaking on Sky Sports Tennis, Naomi Broady said it was her “favourite match” of the tournament so far.”Sabalenka’s ability to sustain the level of intensity is second to none. That loss is going to sting Osaka, but maybe in a few days time she should take a lot of confidence from this match because Sabalenka is far and away…
2026-04-27 14:57:00
