Mutua Madrid Open—Madrid, Spain
Aryna Sabalenka captured the Madrid Open title on Saturday in Spain, defeating world No. 1 Ash Barty 6-0, 3-6, 6-4. After winning a lopsided first set, Sabalenka overcame the loss of the second set to capture her 10th career title in one hour and 39 minutes.
Hitting nine aces and winning 70 percent of her first serve points, Sabalenka broke her Australian opponent on five occasions.
Barty, who has been the inform player of this year, was aiming to win her fourth title in 2021.
On the men’s side, No. 5 seed Alexander Zverev ousted No. 3 see Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4. Dominating the match from start to finish, Zverev struck six aces, won nearly 80 percent of his first serve points and broke serve on three occasions. Winning only his third match against Thiem in 11 meetings, Zverev will next face either Matteo Berrettini or Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final.
Zverev will be attempting to win his 15th career title.
