Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka Prediction & Picks - WTA Mutua Madrid Open

Iga Swiatek has started the clay season like a player on a mission, that's for sure, and she's look in red-hot form in the Spanish capital, so much so that she's a worthy favourite here. However, should she really be as strong in the early market as she is? I'd argue that Sabalenka deserves a little more respect. The Belarusian is the world number two after all, while Madrid is a venue where she's arguably played her best tennis in the last couple of years, winning the tournament in both 2021 and 2023. In the final last year, the Belarusian proved that under circumstances that favour her, she can really upset the Polish player. Swiatek will have undoubtedly learned from that experience and is probably an even better player now, but to simply assume that the Pole will win this with ease is wrong (in my opinion). Sabalenka is good enough to have a big say in this match, even if she eventually comes up short. To my eyes, all eveidenc points towards the world number two making life tough for the world number one, so much so that she's worth betting on to avoid a straight set defeat. Our Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka +1.5 Set Handicap.