NEWSLETTER | ALCARAZ AND SABALENKA CAST SPELL OVER CAJA MÁGICA

Alcaraz successfully defends Madrid crown against Jan-Lennard Struff while Aryna Sabalenka gains revenge over Iga Swiatek

By Stephen Higgins | 8th May 2023

While the spectres of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic still loom in the background, Madrid further cemented Carlos Alcaraz’s status as the in-form man to beat.

The 20-year-old successfully defended his title in the Spanish capital but this was no procession. Jan Lennard Struff - who actually lost in qualifying before making the final as a lucky loser - was a superb challenge for the world no.2 on Sunday.

The talented German consistently charged the net and disrupted the Spaniard’s flow. Alcaraz eventually subdued his opponent over three sets 6-4 3-6 6-3 to earn his 10th career title (seventh on clay).

After starting the season late due to injury, Alcaraz has made five finals from six events with four titles in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona and Madrid.

Meanwhile, on the women’s side, spectators enjoyed yet another blockbuster encounter between the two best women around. In Saturday’s final, Aryna Sabalenka leaned on her bludgeoning power and ever-improving control to keep Iga Swiatek at bay.

The Belarusian produced a number of stunning shots against the perturbed Pole and clinched her 13th career title with a 6-3 3-6 6-3 victory.

If the women’s seedings can hold at Roland Garros, the Parisian crowd will be in for a cracking final with another Swiatek-Sabalenka tussle.

The tour now moves to Rome for another (ill-judged) fortnight event. Along with the usual suspects, Djokovic is the most interesting addition to the coming proceedings.

RESULTS

REUS | WTA 125

Sorana Cirstea is back in form and lifted the title in Catalonia after a three-set battle with Elizabeth Mandlik in the final. The former Roland Garros quarter-finalist saved a championship point before eventually taking it 6-1 4-6 7-6.

The 33-year-old moves back inside the top 40 primarily thanks to her outstanding Sunshine Double displays.

SAINT-MALO | WTA 125

Given her unique talent, it’s great to see Sloane Stephens lift a trophy again. The American only dropped one set all week in France and beat Greet Minnen 6-3 6-4 in the final. The 30-year-old also moves back inside the top 40 this week.

NEWS

• It’s still doesn’t look great for Rafael Nadal’s 2023 Roland Garros chances. The 22-time major winner has withdrawn from Rome but, maybe ominously, said that there has been an ‘improvement’ in his condition of late.

• Emma Raducanu is set to miss Roland Garros, Wimbledon and possibly the US Open after undergoing surgery on her right hand. Further operations are planned on her left hand and ankle as the unfortunate 2021 US Open champion prepares to fall out of the WTA’s top 100.

• A few words for Andy Murray, who over the weekend triumphed at the ATP Challenger in Aix-en-Provence. While it’s a second tier event, the 35-year-old still had to beat world no.17 Tommy Paul in the final. He did so (2-6 6-1 6-2) to earn a first title since 2019 and returns to the ATP’s top 50. What an extraordinary warrior!

• In a sad development, the hugely talented Amanda Anisimova will take a break from tennis due to ‘mental health and burnout’. The 2019 Roland Garros semi-finalist has only won three matches this year and has fallen outside the WTA’s top 60.

• There are very strong men’s and women’s fields in Rome this coming fortnight. Nine of the top 10 women and (so far) it appears all of the top 10 men will be in action. World no.10 Petra Kvitova misses out due to an issue with her right foot.

• Finally, Serena Williams is expecting a second child after revealing the news at the Met Gala.

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