“I’ll see if I need to adjust my tactics” – Sabalenka on showdown with Swiatek in Madrid

Aryna Sabalenka versus Iga Swiatek has become something of a classic over the past three years.

In the final of this year’s Madrid Open, the world No 1 will meet the world No 2 in a repeat of last year’s showpiece. The Belarusian won that one in three sets to kick off her clay-court season.

At Roland-Garros a few weeks later, only a superb performance from Karolina Muchova prevented the two players from reuniting in the final in Paris.

Despite the fact that they have yet to meet in a Grand Slam final, they are frequently meeting at the business end of big tournaments. In Madrid on Saturday, it will be their fourth Masters 1000 meeting (Swiatek leads these 2-1), and their tenth overall (which Swiatek also leads 6-3).

After her win over Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals, Sabalenka was asked about the tactics she would put in place to overcome her opponent, as she did in 2023.

“We’re all getting better and we’re all evolving throughout the year” Sabalenka said, in reference to the unofficial ‘Big Three’ of women’s tennis that is Rybakina, herself and Swiatek.

“So I’m going to watch his matches and see if I need to adjust my tactics (smiles). But the main strategy for me is to focus on myself, stay aggressive and trust my shots, and that’s it,” she continued.

What is certain is that she will have to do much better than her start in the semi-finals, where she trailed 6-1 4-2 before coming out on top.

“It’s going to be a great final,” Sabalenka said.

“We’ve had so many good games with Iga. These are always fierce battles. I’m very excited about this final. Once again, I’m going to do everything I can to get this win.”

THE BIG THREE, AN EXTRA MOTIVATION

Ahead of a tenth duel between the world’s top two players, this clash seems to confirm what Swiatek said at in Stuttgart a few weeks ago.

“Sabalenka, Rybakina and I are the best players on the tour, honestly,” the world No 1 said at the time.

All three then proceeded to reach the semi-finals in Madrid, with world No 3 Coco Gauff losing to Madison Keys in the last 16.

Sabalenka seems fond of the new mantle of the ‘Big Three’.

“I like it, you call us Big Three, that’s why I like it, because I feel like we motivate each other. We give ourselves a hard time and we always have to keep working hard and looking for things,” she said.

If she wants to win on Saturday, Sabalenka will undoubtedly have to “look for things” against a player who has been close to flawless all tournament.

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