Aryna Sabalenka began her quest for a third Madrid Open title with a commanding 6-3, 6-4 win over Anna Blinkova in the second round at Caja Magica on Friday. The world number one, who has previously won the tournament in 2021 and 2023 and finished as a runner-up last year, improved her record in Madrid to 18-4.
Sabalenka dominated the opening set, racing to a 5-0 lead before losing one of her breaks. She closed out the set on her third attempt at 48 minutes. In the second set, a single early break was enough for Sabalenka to seal the win and secure her spot in the third round, where she’ll face either her former doubles partner Elise Mertens or Colombia’s Camila Osorio.
Despite her Madrid success, Sabalenka has struggled at the French Open, which she considers a “challenge.” She reflected on her past disappointments, including semi-final and quarter-final losses in 2023 and 2024, respectively. “Every time I go there, it’s like a challenge for me,” said Sabalenka, though she enjoys playing on clay and feels comfortable with the surface. 
Earlier in the day, world number nine Paula Badosa withdrew from her home tournament due to a lower back injury, following the withdrawal of fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who cited a hamstring and adductor injury.
In another upset, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, the 2022 Madrid champion, was eliminated by Moyuka Uchijima 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Greece’s Maria Sakkari advanced with a 7-6(5), 6-3 victory over 29th seed Magda Linette. Anastasia Potapova pulled off an impressive win over eighth-seeded Qinwen Zheng, while 15th seed Amanda Anisimova fell to Peyton Stearns 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. Sixth-seeded Jasmine Paolini cruised past Katie Boulter 6-1, 6-2.
On the men’s side, Alexander Zverev, the Munich champion, showcased his dominant form with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, firing 32 winners and only 24 unforced errors. Zverev now awaits either Nuno Borges or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round.
Last year’s finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime was knocked out early, losing 7-6(5), 6-4 to Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo. In an all-Argentinian clash, Francisco Cerundolo advanced to the third round with a 6-3, 6-4 win over qualifier Harold Mayot. He will next face compatriot Francisco Comesana, who staged a remarkable comeback from 1-5 down to defeat 13th-seeded Arthur Fils 7-6(4), 6-4.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, the 37-year-old 24-time Grand Slam champion, acknowledged the changing landscape of tennis, with younger stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz taking center stage. Djokovic expressed his desire to continue playing and representing the older generation of tennis players, adding that his presence helps maintain the sport’s popularity and keeps the tournaments thriving.
