Second chance or opportunity for revenge? As events at this week’s Madrid Open have demonstrated, it is often a matter of perspective.
Aryna Sabalenka is in no doubt about the nature of the opportunity that lies before her as she prepares to take on Iga Swiatek in a clay-court final for the second time in two weeks at the Caja Mágica.
“I really want to have this revenge,” said Sabalenka, the Belarusian world No 2, of the prospect of turning the tables on Swiatek, who defeated her in straight sets in the final of the Stuttgart Open a fortnight ago.
“I think I would just play with more passion. I wouldn’t rush things. I would just go one more time, try better, and fight for this title.”
Trying better has become something of a mantra for the 25-year-old, whose journey from self-proclaimed Queen of Double Faults to Australian Open champion has been well documented. Sabalenka believes that the improvements she has made to her serve – an achilles heel last season, the bedrock of two titles and five final appearances this season – can give her a vital edge in the Spanish capital, where the quick conditions lend extra edge to a delivery that regularly touches speeds in the region of 120mph.
“I would say that before our first matches last season when I didn’t feel my best, it was really tough to play against her because I didn’t have so many weapons,” said Sabalenka, who was defeated by Swiatek in Qatar, Stuttgart, Rome and New York last year before finally getting the better of the Pole at the season-ending WTA Finals.
“I had my character, and that’s it. Later, when I fixed my serve, I understood that actually I can play well against her, I can beat her. Right now, it’s a different mentality. Going into this match you just kind of prepare yourself for a tough battle, and whatever happens on court, it’s not really bothering you. You’re focused, you’re ready for that, and you’re really enjoying these battles.”
A stony-faced Sabalenka gave little appearance of having enjoyed her 6-3, 6-4 loss in Stuttgart last month, briefly leaving the court to sit with her team before the trophy presentation. Yet her tactics were sound, the Belarusian seeking to draw Swiatek wide with clever angles and changes of pace before landing the coup de grâce. The problem for Sabalenka, as Swiatek showcased her extraordinary movement and defensive skills, was patience rather than planning – a lesson that, she says, has been learned.
“In Stuttgart I was like going crazy when I had [a] slower shot or shorter shot or approach shot. I was just going crazy. I was rushing things. I tried to go for winners. This time I’ll just play with more passion, and I’ll just wait for a better shot to finish the point.”
If Sabalenka is indeed to gain vengeance, she will no doubt need to play at the very top of her game. While Swiatek has shown signs of vulnerability this season, losing to Elena Rybakina at the Australian Open and in Indian Wells, and to Barbora Krejcikova in the final of Dubai, the world No 1 has been back to her best with her beloved clay underfoot. Against Sabalenka, she will be gunning for her 10th straight win on the surface and 47th in 50 matches since the first of her two French Open victories in 2020. She will meet Saturday’s challenge head on.
“It’s always an exciting and really intense match, so I’m also looking forward [to it],” said Swiatek. “Playing against Aryna, you have to be 100% ready.”
In an age more notable for anodyne soundbites than fighting talk, Sabalenka’s openness about wanting to get her own back is refreshing. Yet different perspectives are available. Just ask Jan-Lennard Struff, beaten in qualifying by Russia’s Aslan Karatsev only to secure a place in the main draw as a lucky loser. Facing Karatsev for a second time with a place in a first Masters 1000 final at stake for both men, Struff, a 33-year-old German ranked 65 in the world, saw it as a second chance. From a set down, he took embraced the opportunity, outlasting the Russian 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to continue what has been a fairytale run.
“Very, very happy to get a second chance,” said Struff, who will face Carlos Alcaraz, the top seed and defending champion, in Sunday’s final. “I never would have expected this one, to be in the finals after being a lucky loser.”
So is there a moral to this tale of the unexpected?
“It’s just if you have a second chance, try to go for it,” said Struff. “Just that you shouldn’t give up and [you should] try again always.”
Whether they think of it as vengeance or merely a second chance, both Sabalenka and Struff will be aiming for the same outcome this weekend.