Once again, Sabalenka ends Andreeva’s run in Madrid

Mirra Andreeva turned 17 on Monday in Madrid, and celebrated her birthday by becoming the youngest quarter-finalist in Madrid Open history. On Wednesday the celebration ended as No.2-seeded Aryna Sabalenka ended her dream for the second consecutive season, 6-1, 6-4.

Last year, as a bright-eyed 15-year-old, Andreeva made the most of her WTA 1000 debut by reaching the round of 16, where she was defeated 6-3, 6-1 by eventual champion Sabalenka.

This time around, in just her fifth 1000-level appearance, credit Andreeva for getting an extra round – and an extra game against Sabalenka – in an effort that proves she is very much on her way to becoming a top player.

“She’s a great player, and for someone her age, she’s playing incredible tennis,” Sabalenka said. “She’s a tough opponent, moving well, serving well. So it was a tough battle.

The 17-year-old took out No 7-seeded Marketa Vondrousova for her second top 10 win of the season in the third round, then edged Jasmine Paolini in her next match.

But two-time champion Sabalenka proved too much for her in the Caja Magica on Wednesday as she improved to 16-3 lifetime at Madrid and 19-5 overall in 2024.

The victory was a welcome reprieve for Sabalenka, who has had to battle through three consecutive three-setters to reach the quarter-finals.

She was never in trouble against Andreeva, but did have to withstand a push from the Russian in the final set, as the world No 43 stayed within a break and refused to wilt. Andreeva saved a pair of match points to hold for 5-4, but Sabalenka served out the victory in the next game, closing the door in one hour and 20 minutes.

The two-time major champion will face No 4-seeded Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals on Thursday evening.

Rybakina took the pair’s only meeting of 2024 in Brisbane in January, but Sabalenka owns a 5-3 lifetime edge over the 24-year-old. Thursday evening will mark their first ever meeting on clay.

“So far she’s doing incredible job. I’m impressed by the consistency she’s bringing on court,” Sabalenka said. “That’s really something amazing. I’m super happy for her.

“When she was winning, she was more aggressive than me, and I was trying to kind of, like, save myself in those moments. So I think the main key for me is just to focusing on myself and to stay aggressive no matter what.”

In the previous rounds of the Madrid tournament, the Belarusian defeated Pole Magda Linette (6-4, 3-6, 6-3), American wildcard Robin Montgomery (6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-4) and American Danielle Collins, the No 13 seed (4-6, 6-4, 6-3).

Andreeva, ranked No 43, won against American Taylor Townsend (4-6, 6-1, 7-5), No 29 seed Linda Noskova (4-6, 6-3, 6-3), No 7 seed Marketa Vondrousova (7-5, 6-1) and Italian Jasmine Paolini, the No 12 seed (7-6 (2), 6-4) earlier in the tournament.

Madrid WTA 1000, other quarter-finals results (Caja Magica, clay, USD 8.770.480, most recent results first):

• Elena Rybakina beat Yulia Putintseva: 4-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5
• Madison Keys (18) beat Ons Jabeur (8): 0-6, 7-5, 6-1
• Iga Swiatek (1) beat Beatriz Haddad Maia (11): 4-6, 6-0, 6-2

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