Yuliia Starodubtseva’s Comeback Shines at Madrid Open 🎾
27 Apr 2025
MADRID — Yuliia Starodubtseva’s comeback at the Mutua Madrid Open has become a talking point in the world of tennis. Last fall, she surprised everyone by reaching the quarterfinals at the China Open, defeating the No. 14-ranked Anna Kalinskaya. Although she fell to Coco Gauff later on, her performance catapulted her into the Top 100. However, a challenging 203-day period without a main-draw victory followed, spanning 15 events across four continents. During this time, she failed to qualify eight times and went winless in seven main-draw attempts.
At the Mutua Madrid Open, Starodubtseva turned the tide, winning two qualifying matches before defeating Linda Fruhvirtova 6-2, 6-2 in the first round. She continued her winning streak against Elisabetta Cocciaretto, triumphing 7-6 (5), 6-4, and advancing to the third round.
Starodubtseva’s Impressive Comeback 🌟
Most importantly, Starodubtseva made headlines with her remarkable comeback against No. 18 seed Liudmila Samsonova, winning 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-0. Her next challenge is against No. 7 seed Mirra Andreeva, a two-time WTA 1000 winner this year. Currently ranked No. 99, Starodubtseva is anticipated to rise to at least No. 80, nearing her career-high ranking. Because of her resilience, she became the only player in the Open era to qualify for all four Grand Slams in a single year, achieving her first major win at Wimbledon. Despite being an underdog in the Round of 16, she joins top seeds Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Madison Keys. For more insights on players like Yuliia Starodubtseva, visit the WTA website.
Swiatek vs. Eala: A Thrilling Rematch 🔥
The Miami Open saw Alexandra Eala upset No. 2-ranked Iga Swiatek in straight sets. Fast forward a month, and they faced each other again on Swiatek’s favored red clay. Although Eala led by a set and a break, Swiatek’s clay court dominance came through, and she won 10 of the last 13 games. ESPN provides further analysis of this intense rematch.
Match of the Tournament (So Far) 🏆
Returning from maternity leave, Belinda Bencic staged a remarkable comeback to defeat No. 16 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (2). Despite trailing 4-1 in the third set and suffering a fall, Bencic won this thrilling match, which lasted over three hours. Her maternity comeback is inspiring for many fans.
Anastasija Sevastova’s Triumphant Return 👏
Anastasija Sevastova made a successful return to the tour after a 22-month hiatus and an ACL injury. She defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the first round and continued her success by beating Jelena Ostapenko, who recently won the Stuttgart title. Sevastova’s inspiring run ended in the third round against No. 13 seed Diana Shnaider.
Upset Specials 🚀
Peyton Stearns’ victory over No. 15 Amanda Anisimova was notable, but Anastasia Potapova’s win over No. 8 Zheng Qinwen was perhaps the most surprising. Potapova’s triumph followed Zheng’s gold medal win at Roland Garros. Additionally, Moyuka Uchijima and Maria Sakkari stunned the crowd by eliminating No. 3 Jessica Pegula and No. 6 Jasmine Paolini, respectively. Uchijima celebrated her first Top 25 victory, while Sakkari ended an 0-for-8 streak against Top 10 players.
Numbers Tell the Story 📊
Belinda Bencic has a knack for winning on special occasions. On her 28th birthday, she defeated Diana Shnaider at Indian Wells, and on her daughter Bella’s first birthday, she won her first-round match in Madrid. Elina Svitolina’s recent victory over No. 10 seed Elena Rybakina marked her second consecutive match win in Madrid, improving her clay season record to 9-0. Ekaterina Alexandrova’s clay-court performance has dramatically improved from 1-7 last year to 8-2 this year, highlighted by her victory over Daria Kasatkina.
Swiatek’s Clay Dominance Continues 🎯
Iga Swiatek continues to excel on clay, winning nearly 90% of her WTA 1000 matches on the surface. Her unmatched dominance is evident whether she grinds out wins or swiftly defeats her opponents. For more details on Swiatek’s performance, check out Tennis.com.
Coco Gauff’s Basketball Passion 🏀
Coco Gauff is an avid fan of the NBA’s Miami Heat, who have defied odds by surviving the play-in process. She shared her excitement about the playoffs and expressed hopes for players like LeBron James.
Shot of the Tournament 🎥
Yuliia Starodubtseva’s overhead shot was met with an impressive return from Elisabetta Cocciaretto, showcasing the high level of play at the tournament.
Giuliana Olmos: From Tennis to Running 🏃♀️
Doubles player Giuliana Olmos displayed her athletic versatility by competing in the Madrid 10K race, finishing in 45:01 minutes. Despite a first-round loss in doubles, Olmos found joy in running and celebrated with friends and a well-deserved meal.
