Mutua Madrid Open - WTA 1000

[Fiero425]

Sabalenka blows it! She was up in sets, games, & even the 3rd set TB! She has the game to beat anyone, but her own hesitations costs her! You just can't get this close to winning multiple times, then choke it away! Baptiste did what she had to do & won it in 3 sets! Nice effort overcoming those 6 match points! Very impressive!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sabalenka blows it! She was up in sets, games, & even the 3rd set TB! She has the game to beat anyone, but her own hesitations costs her! You just can't get this close to winning multiple times, then choke it away! Baptiste did what she had to do & won it in 3 sets! Nice effort overcoming those match points!

Oh please it is not her about Saba and her hesitations at all, Hailey has the game to defeat Saba btw, Saba could not read Hailey's heavy fhand for starters in this game, which suits the night time conditions in Madrid, Saba tried to finish points too quickly at times in this match that was her downfall, she unraveled in the TB, leading 4-2, again trying to ends points too quickly which resulted in UFE, I also liked the way Hailey anticipated the shots of Saba in the match, her team did their home work well, though in the end it is up to the player to be able to come on court and be able to come through and win the game plan
Hailey re-adjusted her game after the 2nd set, she deserved her win today and ends the 15 match winning streak of Saba

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sabalenka her thoughts on the match,

" I think she played great points, I mean, I had some opportunities, didnt use them. She played really brave tennis I feel on those match points".What can I say 'well done'".

 

[kskate2]

teen queen is next. she could frustrate the heck out of Mirra w/ her spin, volley and off-pace shots. That girl is already a ticking bomb, against Hailey she will go ballistic when stuff doesn't go her way

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

QFs,
Bottom half of the draw,
Wednesday 29th April,

Potapova LL vs Pliskova (PR) H2H Plsikova 1-0, this is their first match on clay

Noskova (13) vs Kostyuk (26) First meeting

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Potapova became the first LL to reach a WTA1000 or Tier 1 since the formats in 1990 with a 61 67(4) 63 defeat of Pliskova. Potapova led 61 and 53 and held her first 3MPs in the 2nd set but reeled off 5 straight games down 3-1 in the final set to reach the SF
Well done Potapova who defeated Rybakina in her previous match

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

There has been 4 consecutive breaks of serve in the 1st set,
Kostyuk was serving for the 1st set, broken, Noskova's fhand has been AWOL and also her serve with 6 DFs so far had has saved 13/16 BPS, 21 UFE to date.
Kostyuk now gets a 2nd chance to serve for the 1st set at 6-5
The standard of play so far has been sub standard and I wish Kostyuk's coach would Shut Up, quite frankly.
Noskova with a BP as Kostuyk DFs and she breaks
8 breaks of serve
TB for the 1st set 6 all
Kostyuk has regrouped in the TB and leads 6-1, btw she has not lost a set coming into the QF in this tournament
Kostyuk 1st set 76(1)

In the 2nd set Noskova has 'Imploded" and Kostyuk dismantled her easily
Kostyuk the only QF finalist that has not dropped a set to the SFs
Kostyuk d Noskova 76(1) 60

Kostyuk will face Potapova in the SF

 

[britbox]

Madrid QF Highlights

 

[kskate2]

• Marta on a mission. Linda had a letdown after Coco donated those errors in R16. Marta was not obliging her today.
• Pliskobot reminded me why she never won a slam
• Hailey put something on Saba's mind. Glad she was able to rise above all those screams to put the ball in play.
• Lil Bit still has issues w/ that serve. It's a love offering and a half

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Womens SFs
Thursday 30th April,

Andreeva (9) vs Baptiste (30) Andreeva leads their H2H 1-0, this is their first meeting onclay

Kostyuk (26) vs Potapova LL Their H2H is tied at 2 all

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I had computer trouble again, finally back online,

19 yo Andreeva, it was her birthday yesterday, is into her 3rd career WTA1000 final defeating Baptiste 64 76(8)
Comeback from 0-4, 46 and 67 down in the TB after leading 5-3 and MP in the set
Improves to 12-1 on clay in 2026
Mirra became the first teenager to have reached 3 WTA1000 finals, she showed fight and focus today, something that went missing mid way last year. Well done Mirra!
Shout out to Hilary, a breakout week for her with a whole lot to build on! defeating the defending champion and No 1 player Sabalenka was the highlight of her week!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kostyuk v Potapova
Marta won the toss and elected to serve first,
You learn something new everyday, I did not know that Tallon Greikspoor ATP player is the boyfriend of Potapova he is in her box cheering her on.
Potapova needs to watch her serve already a DF, now Marta a BP and she breaks early
Potapova with 2 BPs had her chance to get the break back, could not convert.
Marta 3-0
Potapova has lost her way in the 1st set, losing focus and letting small things upset her, Marta playing too good at present
Marta with BP and wins the 1st set 62 in 35 mins, btw Marta has still not lost a set all tournament

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Good defence from Potapova and she breaks Marta first service game of the 2nd set
Potapova consolidates the break and leads 2-0
Marta has gone into a "Funk" emotions are now causing her to lose focus and her play has gone AWOL compared to the 1st set
Potapova now has a double breaks and leads 3-0
Potapova 4-0, really good clean tennis, has tidy up her UFE from the 1st set, also playing aggressive points when needed
Potapova with 2 BPs as Marta is unravelling at a fast pace
Potapova has shut out Marta in the 2nd set
Potapova will serve for the 2nd set 5-0
That was a very poor service game from Potapova when she was serving for the 2nd set, broken to love?
Of course Potapova has 3SP as Marta cant hold her serve
Potapova wins the 2nd set 61, first set Marta has lost all tournament
Going 3
Whoever can keep their Emotions In Check" first and foremost and focus on their games will win this match
I need to take this phone call.
Kostuk d Potapova 62 16 61, this match was like taking a roller coaster ride, Marta handled it better in the 3rd set and ran away with it



Kostyuk The Drama Queen vs the Teen Adreeva The Teen Queen who also produces ' Drama' on the court

 

[britbox]

Semi Final Highlights

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

SF Doubles Matches,
Friday May 1,

Siegemund/Zvonareva vs Andreeva/Shnaider

Siniakova/Townsend (2) vs Mladenovic/Krunic

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Result of the first SF doubles match,
Andreeva/Shnaider were too strong for Siegemund/Zvonareva defeating them 63 62, they are the first team into the final
BTW Andreeva is now in singles and doubles final

The No 2 seeds Siniakova/Townsend come trough in tight battle winning 64 75 aganst Krunic/Mladenovic

The Ladies Doubes Final has been set,

No 2 seeds Siniakova/Townsend vs Andreeva/Shnaider

 

[britbox]

I wasn't aware Garbine was tournament director at Madrid.



LeoAI Summary

• New Role as Tournament Director: Muguruza is currently serving as the Tournament Director for the event, describing it as an "amazing" and "very busy" new chapter where she helps manage the "thousand requests" that come with a big social event.
• Collaboration and Innovation: She highlights working alongside co-director Feliciano López to improve the player experience, fan zones, and overall event atmosphere, noting that the tournament is constantly trying to innovate.
• Future Developments: She confirmed that a new stadium is currently under construction right behind the interview area, which she anticipates will be "amazing."
• Atmosphere and Food: She emphasised the incredible energy created by having so many players and fans present, and jokingly noted that the high-quality food in Madrid (specifically the food court and VIP areas) is "next level," though she maintains her discipline through workouts.
• Player Perspective: Muguruza values being on the "outside" helping the tournament while still feeling part of the tennis "family," though she admits it is impossible to make everyone happy all the time.

 

[Fiero425]

I wasn't aware Garbine was tournament director at Madrid.



LeoAI Summary

• New Role as Tournament Director: Muguruza is currently serving as the Tournament Director for the event, describing it as an "amazing" and "very busy" new chapter where she helps manage the "thousand requests" that come with a big social event.
• Collaboration and Innovation: She highlights working alongside co-director Feliciano López to improve the player experience, fan zones, and overall event atmosphere, noting that the tournament is constantly trying to innovate.
• Future Developments: She confirmed that a new stadium is currently under construction right behind the interview area, which she anticipates will be "amazing."
• Atmosphere and Food: She emphasised the incredible energy created by having so many players and fans present, and jokingly noted that the high-quality food in Madrid (specifically the food court and VIP areas) is "next level," though she maintains her discipline through workouts.
• Player Perspective: Muguruza values being on the "outside" helping the tournament while still feeling part of the tennis "family," though she admits it is impossible to make everyone happy all the time.

I guess that matches Amelie Mauresmo's position in Paris!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I wasn't aware Garbine was tournament director at Madrid.



LeoAI Summary

• New Role as Tournament Director: Muguruza is currently serving as the Tournament Director for the event, describing it as an "amazing" and "very busy" new chapter where she helps manage the "thousand requests" that come with a big social event.
• Collaboration and Innovation: She highlights working alongside co-director Feliciano López to improve the player experience, fan zones, and overall event atmosphere, noting that the tournament is constantly trying to innovate.
• Future Developments: She confirmed that a new stadium is currently under construction right behind the interview area, which she anticipates will be "amazing."
• Atmosphere and Food: She emphasised the incredible energy created by having so many players and fans present, and jokingly noted that the high-quality food in Madrid (specifically the food court and VIP areas) is "next level," though she maintains her discipline through workouts.
• Player Perspective: Muguruza values being on the "outside" helping the tournament while still feeling part of the tennis "family," though she admits it is impossible to make everyone happy all the time.

Baron,
I think it is a wonderful new appointment for Garbine, she is also the tournament director for the WTA Finals, in Riyadh, strengthening the events gender quality and bridge the gap between players needs and tournament management
Garbine retired in 2024, she has a son Marcus, with her husband Arthur Borges, they married in 2024

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Ladies Singles Final,
Sunday 3rd May,

Mirra Andreeva and Marta Kostyuk share one thing in common, each player is coached by a female, which is quite rare on the WTA Tour
Andreeva coached by former Spanish player Conchita Martinez, first Spanish player to win Wimbledon, also coached Garbine Muguruza to Wimbledon glory
Sandra Zaniewska, a former Polish player, also worked with Petra Martic and Alize Cornet.

Kostyuk has been playing well on the clay, accumulated 12 wins on the clay ( highest on the WTA Tour of May, 2026)
Kostyuk also has a H2H 1-0 over Andreeva, that was in Brisbane 2026 on a hard court
Kostyuk is into her first career finals and is on the cusp of the biggest title of her career. Kostyuk has dropped 1 set en route to the final, that was in her SF against Potapova.

Andreeva is onto her 3rd career WTA1000 final becoming the first teenager in history to reach 3 finals at that level before turning 20

Both players have won a clay tournament before Madrid, Andreeva Linz, Kostyuk Rouen Metropole
This will be their first meeting on clay against each other.

Kostyuk playing well on the clay, could be in the Top Ten this year, while Andreeva comes in the favorite, this one could go either way.
Will likely come down to who handles the ' Moment"

Good luck to both players.