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Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka set up another clash two weeks after they met in the previous Stuttgart Championship match.
Sviatek booked her place in her first Madrid Open final with a 6-1 6-1 win over 12th seed Veronika Kudermetova.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka defeated Maria Sakkari 6-1 in Thursday’s semifinals 6-4, 6-1 to advance to the championship on Saturday.
Sabalenka improved to 6-3 with Sakharin’s fifth straight win in nine meetings and also a WTA face-off with the Greek star.
Swiatek was equally clinical as he took just 1 hour and 19 minutes to win.
For the second consecutive WTA Tour tournament, Swiatek will face world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka defeated ninth seed Maria Sakkari in the first semi-final of the day.
Swiatek defeated Sabalenka in the final of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart 11 days ago. Swiatek went on record with a 5-2 win over Sabalenka in the Madrid final on Saturday. The Poles have won their previous three clay court matches.
Sabalenka felt she played her best tennis in the semi-final win.
«I think it was actually my best match of the tournament,» she said. “I started well. Then Maria came back.
“But mentally I was very strong. I know you will fight for every point. How can I say that it didn’t destroy me that she came back. I was still playing, still fighting for every point.
“Yes, I am very happy with the level I played and especially with my mental game. I’m happier with my mind game.
Swiatek said there are no easy matches when you face Sabalenka.
I think every match is different and every match is tough with Arena, especially. I don’t know if it will be difficult or easy, because it is always difficult. I just work with focus and discipline and try to do my job depending on how she plays or how the situation will be.
“I always feel good about this floor. Even if I’m in a tough spot or when the match isn’t going my way, I know I have the ability to change something and I have a plan. I feel like I have a lot of weapons on clay and I can use them. . It doesn’t matter what matches I win regardless of the length. I always feel good on clay. «
Sabalenka is relishing the prospect of another shot at beating Swiatek in a big match.
“If I can beat a player like Iga on clay, it will be amazing. I shouldn’t rush things. I just have to wait for my chance and just, yeah, take it and go.
«In Stuttgart, I think it was crazy when I did these slow shots or short shots or approach shots. I was rushing things. I tried to go for winners. This time I play with more emotion and just wait for a better shot to finish the point.»
I think it’s great that we’re playing consistently so I hope it can be the same when we meet each other in the finals.
“But, yes, it’s always difficult. It is always a great battle. You always have to really, really fight with Iga. I am ready for that.
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