In a heart-pounding quarter-final at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka clashed with Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in a match that epitomized the intensity of elite tennis. The Belarusian powerhouse, a two-time Madrid champion, emerged victorious with a 7-6(4), 7-6(7) scoreline, but not without weathering late drama, including gusty winds, a rain delay, and a fierce comeback attempt from the 24th-seeded Kostyuk. Sabalenka’s resilience under pressure secured her a spot in the semi-finals, where she’ll face another Ukrainian star, Elina Svitolina, in a highly anticipated showdown.
The match, played on the clay courts of Manolo Santana Stadium, was a rollercoaster from the outset. Sabalenka, known for her thunderous groundstrokes and relentless aggression, faced a determined Kostyuk, whose speed and defensive prowess pushed the top seed to her limits. The first set saw both players trade breaks, with Kostyuk capitalizing on Sabalenka’s early service struggles. “I was trying to find the rhythm on my serve,” Sabalenka later admitted, a nod to her 13 break points faced against Peyton Stearns in the previous round. A tiebreak ensued, where Sabalenka’s power prevailed, clinching it 7-4 after saving a set point.
The second set was even more chaotic. Gusty winds swirled through the Caja Mágica, disrupting both players’ timing and leading to a string of unforced errors. Kostyuk, ranked No. 36 but playing with the confidence of her best-ever Madrid run, broke Sabalenka’s serve to edge ahead. The Ukrainian’s backhand, typically a weapon, faltered in key moments, as noted by tennis journalist Christopher Clarey: “Best shot, her backhand, was not quite up to those moments.” With Sabalenka trailing 4-5 in the tiebreak, a sudden rain shower halted play, sparking tension. “Marta Kostyuk, very enojada por la suspensión del partido cuando Sabalenka estaba por realizar su segundo saque,” posted a tennis fan account on X, capturing Kostyuk’s frustration as the roof closed.
Resuming after the delay, Kostyuk seized three set points, but Sabalenka’s resolve shone through. “That was a battle. Conditions were incredibly tough. It wasn’t about tennis. It was about how you handle your emotions,” Sabalenka reflected post-match. She unleashed a series of blistering forehands and a crucial ace to erase the deficits, ultimately winning the tiebreak 9-7 after two hours and 32 minutes. The crowd, initially booing Sabalenka, shifted to applause, recognizing the grit of both competitors. “I’m super proud I was able to handle myself in such a difficult situation,” she added, her relief palpable.
Sabalenka’s path to the quarter-finals showcased her clay-court prowess. After a first-round bye, she dispatched Anna Blinkova 6-3, 6-4, rallied past Elise Mertens 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, and outclassed Stearns 6-2, 6-4, saving 12 of 13 break points. Her 28-5 record in 2025, including a Miami Open title and finals in Australia, Indian Wells, and Stuttgart, underlines her dominance. Madrid holds special significance for Sabalenka, who won in 2021 and 2023 and was runner-up to Iga Swiatek last year. “Some players love particular tournaments, and for Aryna Sabalenka, it’s the Madrid Open,” noted a tennis analyst, highlighting her 15-1 record in her last 16 matches at the venue.
Kostyuk, meanwhile, delivered her finest Madrid performance, defeating Emma Raducanu, Veronika Kudermetova, and Anastasia Potapova to reach her first quarter-final here. Despite a 2-0 head-to-head deficit against Sabalenka, including a 6-3, 6-2 loss at the 2023 French Open, the 22-year-old pushed the world No. 1 to the brink. Her aggressive style, blending power with tactical drop shots, kept Sabalenka on edge, though she couldn’t convert critical set points. “Kostyuk will ask plenty of questions, but expect Sabalenka to have all the answers,” predicted a tennis betting expert pre-match, a forecast that proved accurate but only just.
The match wasn’t without its historical baggage. In 2023, Kostyuk was booed at Roland Garros for not shaking Sabalenka’s hand, citing her stance against Belarusian players due to Belarus’s role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “People should be honestly embarrassed,” Kostyuk said then, while Sabalenka countered, “She didn’t deserve to leave the court that way.” No handshake occurred in Madrid either, a poignant reminder of their complex dynamic, though the focus remained on their on-court battle.
Sabalenka’s semi-final against Svitolina promises more fireworks, with the Belarusian holding a 3-2 head-to-head edge. As she chases a third Madrid title, Sabalenka’s ability to navigate adversity—be it wind, rain, or a tenacious opponent—cements her as a favorite. For Kostyuk, the loss stings, but her spirited performance signals a player on the cusp of a major breakthrough. Tennis fans, still buzzing from this “incredible” straight-sets epic, as one X post described it, eagerly await the next chapter in Madrid’s clay-court saga.