By Tony Fairbairn
- Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Magda Linette
- Alexander Zverev [4] v Borna Coric
- Elena Rybakina [4] v Lucia Bronzetti
MADRID, SPAIN – Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to break her rotten run of form when she takes on Magda Linette to start her bid for back-to-back titles in Madrid.
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Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Magda Linette H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Magda Linette | H2H: First Meeting |
| Madrid 2024 | Madrid, Spain |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €30,255 |
| Second on Manolo Santana Stadium (11:30 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
It’s been a poor run of form from Aryna Sabalenka since defending her Australian Open title in January. The world number two has only recorded four wins since winning the title in Melbourne with that featuring only one tournament where she won back-to-back matches. However Sabalenka always seems to rise to the occasion when having the responsibility of defending the title and the second seed will hope that is the same in the Spanish capital as she bids for a third Madrid title.
Standing in Sabalenka’s way is Magda Linette who has bounced back well after a terrible last few months. The 32 year-old reached a much-needed final in Rouen last week with the Pole losing to Sloane Stephens in the final. The world number 48 has had good wins on clay in the past and is hoping to rediscover her confidence as she will look to reach similar heights to the ones she reached when she reached the Australian Open semi-finals in 2022.
Sabalenka needs to be confident on serve as she looks to use the forehand to attack the Linette’s forehand. Meanwhile Linette will aim to return smartly as well as efficiently as she looks to use angles to make Sabalenka move. This will be a tough test for Sabalenka against an in-form opponent but the world number two should have enough quality to advance.
Prediction: Sabalenka in three sets.
Alexander Zverev [4] v Borna Coric H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Alexander Zverev [4] v Borna Coric | H2H: Tied at 3-3 |
| Madrid 2024 | Madrid, Spain |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €30,255 |
| Fourth on Manolo Santana Stadium (Not before 19:00 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
After an encouraging North American swing, it’s been a tough start to the clay court season for Alexander Zverev. The German has failed to win back-to-back matches in Monte-Carlo or Munich having suffered straight sets defeats to Stefanos Tsitsipas and Cristian Garin. However Zverev has a very good record in Madrid having won the event on two occasions before and the fourth seed will aim to take advantage of the faster conditions once again.
A tough first assignment awaits for Zverev in the form of aggressive Croatian Borna Coric. After a decent start to the season, which included reaching the Montpellier final, Coric has tailed off recently having won only three matches since that final in France. Now Coric will need to produce his very best tennis as he looks to be seeded for the second Grand Slam of the season at Roland Garros.
Zverev will continue to dominate on serve as he will use the forehand to create angles on the court in order to hit fast and efficient winners. Meanwhile Coric will look to be patient on the backhand side and will wait patiently in order to find space in order to hit forehand winners into the open court. This will be a tricky obstacle for Zverev but Coric’s recent form suggests that the German might be playing Coric at the right time.
Prediction: Zverev in three sets.
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Elena Rybakina [4] v Lucia Bronzetti H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Elena Rybakina [4] v Lucia Bronzetti | H2H: First Meeting |
| Madrid 2024 | Madrid, Spain |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €30,255 |
| First on Manolo Santana Stadium (Not before 10:00 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Another impressive week for Elena Rybakina who won another big title on clay by claiming the Stuttgart title. The Kazakh followed that title from her Rome triumph last year and would love to complete the hat-trick in Madrid. The fourth seed produced a big statement by beating Iga Swiatek last week and there is no reason why Rybakina cannot be Swiatek’s biggest challenger at Roland Garros this year.
Rybakina will look to continue the momentum as she takes on Italian Lucia Bronzetti in her first match. The world number 46 hasn’t had a great last few months but is capable of producing good wins on clay. The 25 year-old has a consistent game and is a great mover on clay as Bronzetti will aim for a big win to kickstart her season in Madrid.
Rybakina will aim to dictate play on serve as she aims for depth on the forehand side. Meanwhile Bronzetti will look to be smart on return as she uses the backhand to expose Rybakina from the baseline. This will be a good opening test for Rybakina as she gets used to the Madrid altitude but the Kazakh should have enough quality to progress.
Prediction: Rybakina in three sets.
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