Iga Swiatek v Aryna Sabalenka: Their 9 previous matches ahead of Madrid showdown

Tittle: Twelve months on from their epic clash in the Spanish capital, once again it is Iga Swiatek versus Aryna Sabalenka in the Madrid Open final.

The two have had contrasting roads to this stage – Swiatek has dropped a set in just one match, Sabalenka has dropped a set in all but one match – but the form book flies out the window in finals as big as this.

World No 1 Swiatek is looking for a third title of the season following victories in Doha and Indian Wells, while Sabalenka is aiming for a first tournament win since the Australian Open.

This will be the tenth meeting between the two top players in the world, in what has been one of the most intriguing and defining rivalries of recent years.

Before their latest Madrid contest, we look back at the nine previous times Swiatek and Sabalenka have met.

2021 WTA Finals: Sabalenka def Swiatek 2-6, 6-2, 7-5

The first meeting in their rivalry was a close one, the two finding themselves deep into a deciding set in what was the first WTA Finals for both.

Swiatek had impressed throughout the season as she backed up her surprise French Open win in 2020, but Sabalenka rallied to seal a battling victory in Guadalajara.

2022 Doha: Swiatek def Sabalenka 6-2, 6-3

Swiatek’s historic 37-match win streak started in Doha in 2022, a tournament she has now won three times in a row.

Sabalenka was the top seed at the tournament but could do little to stop the seventh seed from sealing a comprehensive win in this last-eight clash, with Swiatek dropping just one set on her way to the title.

2022 Stuttgart: Swiatek def Sabalenka 6-2, 6-2

Having risen to world No 1 by this time, Swiatek was a significant favourite when the two met in the Stuttgart final in 2022 – during the middle of her winning run.

Sabalenka had lost the final the previous year and was forced to face a second straight defeat in Stuttgart finals and also to her opponent, who stormed to victory on her event debut.

2022 Rome: Swiatek def Sabalenka 6-2, 6-1

Swiatek made it six straight sets – and three straight wins – in a row over Sabalenka in a display that was even more dominant than the one she delivered in Stuttgart a few weeks earlier.

 

The world No 1 was barely troubled on her way to a successful title defence in Rome and the Belarusian could do little to stop her, winning just three games in their semi-final.

2022 US Open: Swiatek def Sabalenka 3-6, 6-1, 6-4

In one of the best matches the two have contested against each other, Swiatek battled back in a thrilling semi-final to prevent Sabalenka from reaching what would have been a first Slam final.

After winning the opening set, Sabalenka won just one game in the second, but regained her composure to lead 4-2 in the decider.