After her quarterfinal win at the US Open in 2024, Aryna Sabalenka had won over fans with a playful promise, saying, “drinks on me,” before adding, “Please give me some support in the next match.” Over time, that lighthearted appeal seemed to work, with crowds increasingly backing her. However, during her recent match against Jaqueline Cristian in Madrid, she appeared to sense a different kind of support from the stands.
Following her victory, Sabalenka took a moment to address the crowd. She first acknowledged the lively environment before hinting that the backing wasn’t entirely in her favor.
“Thank you, guys. The atmosphere was incredible,” she began, before adding, “But I have to say… when you guys were cheering more for her, I was a bit upset. Next time, please, go for me,” Sabalenka continued.
On the court, the World No. 1 once again showcased her dominance at the Madrid Open. A three-time champion at the event, she is building momentum for another strong run and is now targeting her fifth quarterfinal appearance in Madrid.
Sabalenka started the match in commanding fashion, racing through the opening set 6-1 with powerful and aggressive play that left Cristian struggling to respond. The second set proved more competitive, as Cristian elevated her level and pushed Sabalenka into longer rallies.
A key moment arrived in the sixth game, where Sabalenka displayed resilience by saving four break points that could have shifted the momentum. Instead of falling behind, she held firm and regained control of the match.
From there, she closed things out decisively, winning the final three games to secure the victory.
Earlier in the match, she also produced a standout moment while leading 3-0 in the first set. Chasing down a ball, she sprinted across the court and struck a remarkable down-the-line winner to go up 4-0.
Sabalenka later revealed that the shot wasn’t entirely improvised. “I knew that one day, I would use it on court!” she said, noting that she even practices left-handed shots during warm-ups.
Reflecting further, she added, “To hit it [in] the match, and to hit it as a winner, probably that was the shot of my life,” she said. “I’m waiting for Roger [Federer] to comment any tips for me!”
Up next, Sabalenka is set to face Naomi Osaka in what promises to be a high-profile fourth-round clash. Notably, it will be their first meeting outside of hard courts, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.
Known for her playful personality, Sabalenka once again mixed humor with competitiveness, keeping fans entertained even while subtly calling for stronger support.
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