In a display of relentless dominance at the 2025 Madrid Open, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka etched her name deeper into tennis history by defeating Elise Mertens 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a thrilling third-round clash on April 27, 2025. The victory marked Sabalenka’s 10th consecutive win over Mertens, making her the third active WTA player to achieve 10 or more victories against a single opponent, joining Iga Swiatek (11-3 vs. Coco Gauff) and Madison Keys (10-2 vs. Daria Kasatkina). The Belarusian’s comeback from a set down not only showcased her trademark power but also highlighted her mental fortitude, propelling her into the Round of 16 at a tournament where she’s a two-time champion. This milestone, celebrated widely by fans and analysts, underscores Sabalenka’s ability to dominate familiar foes on the sport’s biggest stages.
The match at the Caja Mágica was a rollercoaster. Mertens, a former doubles partner of Sabalenka’s, came out firing, leveraging her clay-court savvy to claim the first set 6-3. Her precise groundstrokes and early breaks exposed Sabalenka’s initial struggles, as the top seed racked up unforced errors. Yet, Sabalenka, whose 2025 season has been defined by resilience, refused to buckle. “It’s not about being confident. It’s about how much you’re ready to do to get it,” she had said earlier in the tournament, a mindset that fueled her turnaround. In the second set, she tightened her game, hammering 12 winners and breaking Mertens twice to level the score at 6-2. By the decider, Sabalenka was unstoppable, racing to a 6-1 rout with a searing ace to seal the match.
This victory wasn’t just another win—it was a testament to Sabalenka’s dominance over Mertens, a player she’s now beaten 10 times in 12 career meetings, with her last loss to the Belgian dating back to Montreal in 2018. “I will be there, I will be fighting for every point and if I have an opportunity, I will take it,” Sabalenka had declared, and her performance embodied that promise. The milestone places her in elite company, as achieving 10 wins against a single opponent is a rare feat in the modern WTA, where rivalries are fiercely competitive. Swiatek’s edge over Gauff and Keys’ mastery of Kasatkina highlight the significance of Sabalenka’s consistency against Mertens, a former Top 20 player known for her versatility.
Sabalenka’s 2025 Madrid campaign has been a blend of grit and brilliance. As the defending champion, she opened with a straight-sets win over Anna Blinkova, followed by a hard-fought victory against Robin Montgomery. The Mertens match, her third three-setter in Madrid, tested her endurance, but her ability to adapt on clay—a surface she once found challenging—has been striking. “I think on the clay court, it’s like a good practice with those shots,” she said of her evolving game, which now includes drop shots and net approaches alongside her ferocious groundstrokes. Her 18-4 record at Madrid, coupled with titles in 2021 and 2023, makes her a formidable force, though a recent loss to Jelena Ostapenko in the Stuttgart final has kept her hungry.
The broader tournament context adds intrigue. Madrid’s women’s draw has been a battleground, with upsets like Jessica Pegula’s third-round exit to Moyuka Uchijima and Iga Swiatek’s record-tying performance against Linda Noskova. Sabalenka’s next opponent, either Rebeka Masarova or Peyton Stearns, awaits in the fourth round, promising another test of her title credentials. Her 23-7 record this season, including a Miami Open title and a Brisbane International crown, reflects her consistency, though a shoulder injury last summer forced her to skip Wimbledon and the Olympics. That decision, prioritizing health over immediate glory, paved the way for her US Open title and year-end No. 1 ranking in 2024.
Off the court, Sabalenka’s charisma shines. Her recent purchase of a purple Porsche 911 GT3 RS, inspired by her frustration at losing Stuttgart’s car prize, brought levity to her Madrid campaign. “I’m so tired of losing the final, so I decided I will go for the craziest car there,” she quipped, endearing herself to fans. Yet, her focus remains razor-sharp, with Roland Garros—a title she covets—looming. “Every time I go there, it feels like a challenge,” she said of the French Open. “But I love to take on tough challenges.” As Sabalenka continues her Madrid quest, her 10-match streak against Mertens signals not just dominance but a champion’s refusal to yield, setting the stage for more historic moments on clay.