Ash Barty’s newest rival takes revenge in rollercoaster Madrid final

Aussie Ash Barty has lost a crazy Madrid Open final after a dramatic nailbiter that has revealed a new threat to her No. 1 ranking.

Ashleigh Barty has been stunned by a red-hot Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the Madrid Open on Sunday morning (AEST).

It was sweet revenge for the Belarusian after she was beaten by Barty in the final in Stuttgart just two weeks ago. This time she exacted revenge at the Caja Magica in a storming 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 victory to clinch the biggest title of her career.

The 23-year-old has never gone past the fourth round at a Grand Slam but on this evidence she is a genuine contender at the French Open, which starts in Paris later this month.

This was Sabalenka’s 10th career title, but her first on clay and it will see her rise to number four in the world rankings on Monday.

More importantly for Barty, Sabalenka is the newest threat to the Aussie in the year-end world No. 1 race. Sabalenka is now third in the race with 2423 ranking points, behind only Naomi Osaka and Barty (3122).

Barty was the heavy favourite heading into the final, especially after beating Sabalenka in Stuttgart last month, also on clay, in a match that also went to three sets.

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka poses with her trophy after beating Australia's Ashleigh Barty.

Sabalenka was unstoppable in the first set and had just one unforced error on her way to a 6-0 lead.

The Australian appeared to have recovered after levelling up in the second and then leading 4-3, 30-15 on Sabalenka’s serve in the decider.

Just two points away from serving for the match, Barty just couldn’t find her way to the finish line.

Her opponent never gave in and produced a brilliant finish by winning the last 11 consecutive points to hand Barty her first defeat on red clay since 2019 in Rome.

Australia's Ashleigh Barty tripped at the finish line.

“To be honest after the final in Stuttgart, I was injured, I couldn’t move and wanted to withdraw,” Sabalenka said on court afterwards.

“But the recovery was good, in four days I feel better and now I’m the champion. It’s been an amazing week.” Barty will still be one of the favourites at Roland Garros, where the Australian won her first Grand Slam title in 2019.

Her route to the final in Madrid included beating reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek in the round of 16.

Following the Australian Open, Sabalenka has been dominant with a 33-6 record. Her only defeats have been at the hands of Barty, Serena Williams and Garbine Muguruza.

Barty was blown away by her opponent’s relentless hitting from the back, especially off the forehand wing, as three breaks sealed the set for Sabalenka, who conceded only four points on serve.

But Barty finally gained a foothold with a break in the first game of the second, a Sabalenka backhand floating long to shift the momentum in her favour.

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates beating Australia's Ashleigh Barty.

Sabalenka curled a forehand into the corner to break back but Barty restored her advantage with a volley slapped away and then broke again to seal the set.

Barty threatened to break for much of the decider, including at 4-3, but Sabalenka dug in and then had an opening at 4-4, when a failed drop-shot and double-fault from Barty gave her three break points of her own.

Sabalenka converted the first with a thundering backhand down the line and showed no sign of nerves when serving out, powering into a 40-0 lead and winning on her first match point when a Barty forehand hit the net.

— with AFP