Aryna Sabalenka secured a shock win over prime seed Ashleigh Barty to seal the Madrid Open title earlier than being handed a shock of her personal because the Belarusian nearly dropped the trophy when an explosion rang out on the award ceremony.
Seeded fifth on the clay courts of the Spanish capital, Sabalenka overcame the Australian world primary in three units, 6-Zero Three-6 6-Four, on Saturday.
The primary set rout was the primary time Barty had did not win a sport in a set for 4 years, whereas her run of 16 straight victories on clay additionally got here to an finish.
The Belarusian claimed a 10th profession singles title and likewise gained revenge over her Australian rival, who got here from behind to beat her within the remaining in Stuttgart two weeks in the past.
After breaking right into a beaming smile and brief victory dance on sealing the win, the 23-year-old Sabalenka acquired an undesirable shock after being offered with the vase-like trophy on stage, nearly dropping it as a confetti explosion rang out.
Going out with a bang#Sabalenka pic.twitter.com/0dAbfIpmpG
— TelegrammiDiTennis (@tennis_di) Could eight, 2021
Clutching at her chest as the gang gasped, Sabalenka and Barty each then broke into fun as followers applauded and ticker tape rained down over the court docket.
The win for Sabalenka – who’s now tied at Four-Four in head-to-head conferences with Barty – will enhance her confidence heading to the clay courts of Roland-Garros later this month.
The Belarusian has by no means gone previous the fourth spherical at a Grand Slam however will tipped to enhance on that at this yr’s French Open as she rises to the world quantity 4 spot on Monday.
Barty, 25, can be among the many favorites in Paris having claimed a maiden Grand Slam title there in 2019.
