Aryna Sabalenka 'up and down' in Madrid win over Magda Linette, Katie Boulter stunned by teenager Robin Montgomery
Updated 26/04/2024 at 19:31 GMT
Aryna Sabalenka continues her defence of the Madrid Open after a three-set win over Magda Linette. The world No.2 won the first set with little trouble, but a series of errors crept into the Belarusian's game and allowed the Pole to wipe out her lead. Elsewhere, Katie Boulter was shocked by American teenager Robin Montgomery, who produced a fantastic fightback to beat the Brit 1-6 6-3 6-4.
Sabalenka hoping to harness ‘good energy’ in Madrid to retain title
Aryna Sabalenka survived a second-set scare to overcome Magda Linette 6-4 3-6 6-3 and reach the Madrid Open third round.
The defending champion got the job done in two hours and 12 minutes after recovering from a tricky second set, where the match was starting to unravel for the Belarusian.
This result continues Sabalenka’s 100% record against Linette after four meetings, but the world No.2 won each of the three previous matches in straight sets, so this represents an improvement for the Pole.
Neither player gave much away in a cagey opener until Sabalenka managed to break through Linette’s serve and claimed the first set after a second set point.
Linette's response left the two-time Grand Slam winner in a bit of a pickle, after breaking her serve for the first time to move 3-1 ahead and later going on to seal emphatic hold to love at 5-2.
The world No.2 had a break point advantage that came and went in the ninth game before the 32-year-old restored parity in her first set point.
The world No.48 continued to go toe-to-toe with Sabalenka in the decider, but her admirable resistance was ended when Sabalenka claimed her final break in the eighth game to go 5-3 in front and wrapped up the match on her own serve at 6-3.
Sabalenka could now face British No.1 Katie Boulter in the third round, if she beats Robin Montgomery later on Friday.
Speaking after the match Sabalenka said: “She's a tough opponent who always provides me with tough battles.
“It was an up-and-down match today, but I was happy to be able to close it out and get through another one.”
Rybakina prevails past Bronzetti, Boulter crashes out
Elena Rybakina booked her place into the third round of the Madrid Open with a 6-4 6-3 win over Lucia Bronzetti.
The world No. 4 was made to sweat by the Italian at times, but ultimately progressed after a mere one hour and 16 minutes of play, setting up a meeting with either Marta Kostyuk or Mayar Sherif.
Bronzetti was emphatically broken on her opening serve to give the Kazakh a 2-0 lead, but managed an immediate break in an impressive early showing of resilience.
The 25-year-old failed in her attempts to prolong the set on her own serve, as Rybakina drew first blood after her first set point in the 10th game.
Bronzetti came out fighting at the start of the second, and emphatically broke Rybakina to love, but failed to continue that momentum and allowed the 2022 Wimbledon winner a break back.
The writing appeared to be on the wall when the Italian surrendered on her serve for a fourth time in the match to move 3-1 down, and Rybakina did not look back from that point to win the contest after her first match point.
Speaking after the match, she said: “Really happy with the win. I struggled a bit here and there. Overall, I think it was a good match.
“The first set was quite close. I was getting a little frustrated with easy mistakes. Also my first serve percentage wasn’t the greatest throughout the whole match. There are things to improve. Hopefully the next match is going to be better.”
Elsewhere, Katie Boulter was stunned by Robin Montgomery, 19-year-old American, in three sets.
The British 26th seed was beaten 1-6 6-3 6-4, having started the match so well.
She broke in the fourth game of the first set, and then again at 4-1 as Montgomery could not get near her, and a vicious forehand winner sealed the opener in her favour.
However, Montgomery roared back in spirited fashion, with her left-handed forehand causing problems.
That wasn't before another a fizzing forehand down the line from Boulter had her up a break and looking to be cruising into the third round, but a wayward swipe a game later gave the teenager the break right back.
That was the turning point in the Briton's form, as an error-laden game at 4-3 gave Montgomery the upper hand, with the break allowing her a chance to restore parity and serve out the second, which she duly did.
Another forehand looped long from Boulter at 2-4 0-40 down, with Montgomery in full control, but her inexperience showed as she wasted her first three match points.
Boulter kept her faint hopes alive with a break back, and she showed glimpses of her previous form with a sizzling backhand winner that brought it back to 5-4.
However, this time Montgomery was not to be stopped from serving it out, and on her fifth match point, she finally claimed a huge scalp, with a powerful backhand winner down the line the decisive shot.
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