Under the floodlights of Madrid’s Manolo Santana Stadium, a clash of Grand Slam champions electrified the Mutua Madrid Open on a chilly April night in 2025. Elena Rybakina, the stoic Kazakh powerhouse and 2022 Wimbledon winner, faced off against Canada’s Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, in a second-round battle that had fans on the edge of their seats. In a match that stretched past 11 p.m., Rybakina’s unrelenting precision and booming serve quelled a spirited late comeback from Andreescu, securing a 6-3, 6-2 victory in just 77 minutes to advance to the third round.
Rybakina, seeded 10th, entered her first clay match of the season with a 17-7 record for 2025 but faced a formidable opponent in Andreescu, who was riding the momentum of her first tour win since October against McCartney Kessler in the opening round. The Canadian, ranked 132nd due to persistent injuries since her breakout 2019 season, showcased flashes of her vintage form, going 4-for-4 on break points against Kessler. Yet, Rybakina held a psychological edge, leading their head-to-head 2-0, including a straight-sets win in Dubai in 2023. “First matches are always tough, and against Bianca it’s always difficult,” Rybakina said post-match, her calm demeanor belying the intensity of the contest. “Super happy that I managed to win. Still not at my best, of course, first match on clay, but super happy to be back and excited for the next match.”
The opening set saw Rybakina’s serve dominate, winning 80 percent of first-serve points and never facing a break point. Her aggressive baseline play kept Andreescu on the defensive, and a single break in the sixth game sealed the 6-3 scoreline. Andreescu, known for her crafty mix of slices and drop shots, struggled to disrupt Rybakina’s rhythm on the slow clay. “We know each other well, and she is just coming back from injuries,” Rybakina noted, acknowledging Andreescu’s tactical approach. “I knew that she would try to move me off court, change a little bit the pace of the game. I was trying to focus on myself and on the serve, and tried to stay aggressive.”
The second set tested Rybakina’s resolve. Andreescu, buoyed by the passionate Madrid crowd, found her footing and conjured three break points—her only chances of the match. The Canadian’s resilience shone as she unleashed a flurry of winners, reminiscent of her 2019 heroics when she toppled Serena Williams. But Rybakina, unfazed, swatted away the threats with pinpoint serves and heavy groundstrokes, holding firm to maintain her lead. A crucial break at 4-2 swung the momentum decisively, and Rybakina closed out the set 6-2, improving her set record against Andreescu to a perfect 6-0. “Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but hopefully I can improve and be better in the [next] round,” she reflected, already looking ahead.
For Andreescu, the loss was bittersweet but promising. Her first-round victory marked a step forward in her injury-plagued comeback, and her ability to challenge a top player like Rybakina, even briefly, signaled a return to form. “Bianca is back,” commentators noted, pointing to her competitive spirit despite a 9-20 record against top-20 players since 2019. She now heads to a WTA 125k event and the Rome Masters, aiming to rebuild her ranking and confidence.
Rybakina, meanwhile, advances to face Elina Svitolina in the third round, carrying 18 wins in 2025 and defending semifinal points from last year’s Madrid Open. Her performance, though not flawless, showcased her adaptability on clay, a surface where she’s claimed three WTA titles. Despite slipping to No. 11 in the rankings after a stellar 2023, Rybakina’s commanding display affirmed her top-10 caliber. “She’s absolutely still playing top-10 tennis,” fans echoed online, praising her “dreamy power” and “huge serves.”
The late-night drama captivated Madrid’s tennis faithful, who rallied behind Andreescu in hopes of a third set. But Rybakina’s clinical efficiency and unflappable focus proved too much. As she prepares for Svitolina, the tennis world buzzes with anticipation: can Rybakina add a fourth clay title to her resume? For now, her Madrid journey continues, a testament to her resilience and raw talent in a sport where every match is a battle of wills.
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