Sabalenka Sweeps Past Andreeva, Sets Rybakina SF At Madrid Masters; Swiatek v Keys

Aryna Sabalenka continued her title defense easing past 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva 6-1, 6-4 to return to the Madrid Masters semifinal for a third time in four years.

The Belarussian never faced a break point in the match as she upped her Madrid win streak to 10 in the Spanish capital.

“I’m super happy with the level I played today, and with this win,” Sabalenka said to the WTA. “She’s an incredible player even though she’s super young. Conditions suit me well, and hopefully, I can just keep going the way that I’m going.”

Sabalenka will now take on tomorrow a familiar foe in the semifinals, Elena Rybakina. The No. 4 Rybakina clawed past her countrywoman Yulia Putintseva 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-5.

Putintseva incredible had two match points on her serve at 5-2 in the final set when Rybakina ran of five games to make the semifinals.

“I was not there with the legs definitely in the match. She’s a tough opponent. She’s a fighter, and she was playing well,” Rybakina said.

“In the third set it was very quick when I started to lose these three games in a row, 5-2 down. After that, I think I just didn’t have any more emotions, no frustration or nothing. I was just going for every point. Was trying to do what I supposed to do, and then whatever happens happened.”

Rybakina has now won her last 16 matches on clay but Sabalenka leads 5-3 in their series.

“It’s never easy if you get to the semifinals. Elena, we’ve had so many great battles,” Sabalenka said of the semifinal. “It’s going to be a tough challenge for me, but I’m happy to accept this challenge, and I’ll do my best to get this win and hopefully. I’m going to bring my best tennis.”

The early semifinal pits the favorite Iga Swiatek against Madison Keys. Swiatek leads the American 2-1.

“I think it’s great,” Keys said. “The last time we played was in Rome, which is obviously heavier and slower, and I think being in Madrid can obviously lean a little bit towards more my advantage.

“It’s Iga on clay, so that’s the reality of it. But I’m really looking forward to it, and I think it’s going to be a really great challenge.”

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