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Sabalenka Beats Osaka, Extends to 15 Wins in Madrid

4/28/2026

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Summary

Sabalenka Beats Osaka

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Naomi Osaka 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2 in the Madrid Open fourth round, ending the match in 2 hours 20 minutes.
Sabalenka saved four break points and converted four of 14 opportunities, while Osaka converted her only break point.
The win marked Sabalenka’s 15th consecutive victory and extended her streak to 17 straight quarter-final appearances at Madrid.
Sabalenka will meet World No. 32 Hailey Baptiste in the quarter-finals.

Summary

Sabalenka Chasing Record

Aryna Sabalenka could set a new record with a fourth Mutua Madrid Open title, surpassing Petra Kvitova’s three, become the first woman to defend the crown since Simona Halep in 2017, and earn three straight WTA 1000 titles—a feat not seen since Iga Swiatek in 2022.
Naomi Osaka’s fourth-round appearance marks her deepest Madrid run since a 2019 quarter-final.
Naomi Osaka slipped to world No. 55 the previous year.

Summary

Swiatek Withdraws

Iga Swiatek withdrew from her third-round Madrid match after a stomach virus left her dizzy, marking her exit.
Ann Li advanced when Swiatek retired trailing 6-7(4) 6-2 0-3 0-30, the day’s biggest upset.
Mirra Andreeva improved her 2026 clay record to 9-1 with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Dalma Galfi.
Venus Williams earned a win since the US Open, teaming with Katie Boulter to beat Jiang Xinyu and Xu Yifan 4-6, 6-3 (10/7).

History

Historical Context

In 2009 the Madrid Open switched from indoor hard courts to outdoor red clay, became a WTA Premier Mandatory event and saw Dinara Safina claim the first women’s clay title. Since Ion Tiriac’s 2009 acquisition and its 2021 sale to IMG, the tournament expanded to a two-week format. Aryna Sabalenka, a three-time champion (2021, 2023, 2025), now targets a fourth crown in 2026, aiming to match Petra Kvitová’s three titles.

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Sabalenka Beats Osaka

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Naomi Osaka 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2 in the Madrid Open fourth round, ending the match in 2 hours 20 minutes.
Sabalenka saved four break points and converted four of 14 opportunities, while Osaka converted her only break point.
The win marked Sabalenka’s 15th consecutive victory and extended her streak to 17 straight quarter-final appearances at Madrid.
Sabalenka will meet World No. 32 Hailey Baptiste in the quarter-finals.

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