Aryna Sabalenka vs Naomi Osaka Result: Madrid Open 2026 Quarterfinal Spot

Sabalenka outlasts Osaka in Madrid 

Aryna Sabalenka lost just one match this year and continued her run by beating Naomi Osaka in three sets. She plays Hailey Baptiste in the Madrid quarterfinals.

Aryna Sabalenka survives Naomi Osaka test to reach Madrid quarterfinals...

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka overcame Naomi Osaka 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2 in a gripping battle Monday to reach the Madrid Open quarterfinals.

Sabalenka, who has won titles in Miami, Indian Wells and Brisbane this year, was tested by her Japanese opponent in the fourth-round clash but rallied from a set and a break down to win.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka overcame Naomi Osaka 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2 in a gripping battle Monday to reach the Madrid Open quarterfinals.

Sabalenka, who has won titles in Miami, Indian Wells and Brisbane this year, was tested by her Japanese opponent in the fourth-round clash but rallied from a set and a break down to win.

Tiger mentality 🐯@SabalenkaA comes back to defeat Osaka and return to the quarterfinals in Madrid!#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/ZPZK1HlsRY

— wta (@WTA) April 27, 2026

“I was just trying to take one ball at a time and my team was there for me, they really (pushed) me to keep fighting, and I’m really happy that I didn’t give up and I was pushing until the very last point,” said Sabalenka.

The first set between the two four-time Grand Slam champions was tight, with Sabalenka forcing the only break point, which Osaka saved to hold for 2-1.

 

Osaka dominated the tiebreak, racing to a 5-0 lead before sealing it when Sabalenka sent a return wide.

Sabalenka stepped up in the second set, although world No. 15 Osaka dug deep to save three break points before earning a break herself to lead 2-1.

However, the Belarusian broke back to love immediately and again in the eighth game, then served out to take the second set.

Only Elena Rybakina has beaten Sabalenka this year, in the Australian Open final, and the 27-year-old dominated the third set. She secured breaks in the fifth and seventh games while Osaka couldn’t put pressure on her serve.

150th WTA 1000 win! 🫰@SabalenkaA | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/sH0UjAwQjF

— wta (@WTA) April 27, 2026

Sabalenka sealed the win with a love hold capped by an ace to reach the last eight, where she will face American Hailey Baptiste.

“She’s an incredible player, we had a really tight match in Miami, and especially here in Madrid I think this surface suits her game,” added Sabalenka.

Incredible 🌟@SabalenkaA | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/ssCTgGGNy9

— wta (@WTA) April 27, 2026

Equal Her Power

Osaka said she was happy with pushing Sabalenka to the wire after going down in straight sets when they met at Indian Wells.

“I feel like every game was super close. I think... I could potentially match her in power,” said Osaka.

“I feel like in Indian Wells I was a little overwhelmed. Here I did a little bit better.

“Obviously she's the number one player in the world, so it was a really cool match for me to know that I'm kind of there.”

Casper Ruud eased to a 6-3, 6-1 win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to reach the last 16, while Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Daniel Merida 6-4, 6-2.