Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Madrid Open: Aryna Sabalenka shocks Ashleigh Barty to take title

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Saturday, 08 May 2021 12:29

Aryna Sabalenka put on a powerful display to beat world number one Ashleigh Barty 6-0 3-6 6-4 and win the Madrid Open.

The Belarusian raced through the opening set in just 25 minutes as Barty failed to win a game in a set for the first time in four years.

Sabalenka's standard dropped in the second set as Barty dug in to level it.

A sloppy service game from Barty at 4-4 in the third handed the advantage to Sabalenka who served out for the win.

It was revenge for Sabalenka after Barty had come from a set down to beat her in the final in Stuttgart two weeks ago.

"To be honest, after the final in Stuttgart I was injured, I couldn't move and wanted to withdraw," Sabalenka said after she claimed her 10th career title.

"But the recovery was good, in four days I feel better and now I'm the champion. It's been an amazing week."

The win also ended Barty's winning run on clay stretching back to Rome in 2019, just before she won her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open.

Sabalenka, who had not dropped a set on her way to the final in the Spanish capital, was outstanding in the opening set, breaking Barty three times with some big hitting to leave the Australian reeling.

Barty finally broke her opponent's momentum by breaking in the first game of the second set and although she failed to hold on to that advantage, she showed her depth of talent to break again and send the match into a decider.

In the third set, Barty had two break points to go 3-1 up but Sabalenka saved both.

Barty had looked comfortable on her own serve but, out of nowhere, she started to struggle and Sabalenka broke her to love, converting the first break point with a backhand down the line.

And she showed no sign of nerves when serving out, powering into a 40-0 lead and winning on her first match point when a Barty forehand hit the net to seal the biggest win of her career, which will take her up to fourth in the world.

Sabalenka has never gone past the fourth round at a Grand Slam but will now be among the contenders at the French Open, which starts in Paris on 30 May.

Read 368 times

Soccer

Amorim defends Højlund despite scoring woes

Amorim defends Højlund despite scoring woes

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsRuben Amorim has insisted that Rasmus Højlund is not solely to blam...

Weekend review: Real Madrid still in title race, plus much more

Weekend review: Real Madrid still in title race, plus much more

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThroughout the course of the weekend, the LaLiga title race went fr...

Lewandowski (hamstring) in doubt for UCL semis

Lewandowski (hamstring) in doubt for UCL semis

EmailPrintBarcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is a major doubt for the Copa del Rey final and the C...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Rockets' defense 'good enough,' but offense lags

Rockets' defense 'good enough,' but offense lags

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- Silence enveloped the Houston locker room shortly after...

Butler's poise helps Dubs win Game 1 out of '1997'

Butler's poise helps Dubs win Game 1 out of '1997'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- Jimmy Butler sized up Alperen Sengun, milked the shot cl...

Baseball

O's give up 24 runs in 'embarrassing' loss to Reds

O's give up 24 runs in 'embarrassing' loss to Reds

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles began Sunday with right-hander C...

Padres' Arraez exits on stretcher after collision

Padres' Arraez exits on stretcher after collision

EmailPrintHOUSTON -- San Diego Padres designated hitter Luis Arraez was carted off after colliding w...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated