Aryna Sabalenka reacts to first clay win of the year after beating Peyton Stearns in Madrid

TL;DR

Aryna Sabalenka won her first clay match of the year, defeating Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-3, in the second round of the Madrid Open. This marks her return to clay after withdrawing from the Stuttgart Open earlier this month.

Key points

Aryna Sabalenka won her first clay match of the year
Defeated Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-3
Match took place in the second round of the Madrid Open
Sabalenka withdrew from the Stuttgart Open earlier this month
First clay match since last year’s French Open

Aryna SabalenkaPeyton StearnsMadrid Open

Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images

Sabalenka advances to the third round in Madrid, beating Stearns 7-5, 6-3

Aryna Sabalenka began her clay-court season with a straight sets win over Peyton Stearns, 7-5, 6-3, in the second round of the Madrid Open.

The Belarusian had pulled out of the Stuttgart Open earlier this month and was playing her first match on clay since last year’s French Open.

Sabalenka didn’t look completely settled at times but still came through in straight sets to set up a third-round match against Romania’s Jacqueline Cristian. “I’m super happy to get this win,” she told Laura Robson afterwards. “She played really well and I hope I can keep building from here.”

Sabalenka was pleased to step up when it counted

Photo by William WEST / AFP via Getty Images

“That was a super tough match, especially like the first match on clay, and it’s against [Peyton] Stearns, she’s an incredible player,” said Sabalenka.

“I feel like this court suits her game really well. I knew that she was going to go really up high, and I’m glad that the more I was staying on the court, the better I was feeling, and I’m really hoping that in the next one, I’ll bring better tennis.

“I knew that it was not going to be easy. The first match on clay, I was trying to find the perfect rhythm. I’m just glad that when it mattered, I was bringing my best tennis.”

The Belarusian also explained how Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois ended up in her corner for the day.

“I think last year, I was supposed to go to their match, and he messaged if I was coming or not,” she said.

“But then, I think he worked with my boyfriend, and that’s how I got to know him. I just met him for the first time before the match — such a nice guy.”