Iga Swiatek, the current world No.1, displayed her incredible resilience and determination as she fought back to capture her first Mutua Madrid Open title in a nail-biting final against reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka. The match, which lasted an impressive 3 hours and 11 minutes, proved to be the longest Hologic WTA Tour final of the season.

Swiatek, at just 22 years old, secured her 20th career victory and her third title of the season, solidifying her position as one of the brightest stars in women's tennis. Her triumph also earned her the distinction of being the youngest player since Caroline Wozniacki in 2012 to reach 20 titles.

With this win, Swiatek demonstrated her dominance on clay courts, adding the Madrid Open title to her already impressive list of achievements. She has now won both WTA 1000s on clay and is a two-time champion at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.

Reflecting on her victory, Swiatek expressed her joy at winning the tournament, emphasizing her focus on giving her best in each competition. She acknowledged that the significance of her achievement will truly sink in as time goes on.

The final match between Swiatek and Sabalenka marked their third encounter on clay courts, cementing their places as the top two players in the world. In fact, only Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert have faced each other more frequently on clay in the past four decades.

The tightly contested first set showcased the players' skill and determination, with Sabalenka showcasing consistent depth and width in her shots to neutralize Swiatek's aggressive style of play. However, it was Swiatek who managed to break Sabalenka's serve at a crucial moment, securing the first set.

Sabalenka, known for her resilience, quickly bounced back in the second set by breaking Swiatek early on. The set became a battle of returns, with Swiatek responding to every break against her with a break of her own. However, a mistimed double fault from Swiatek allowed Sabalenka to take the second set and force a decisive third set.

In the final set, both players continued to trade blows, with Sabalenka initially taking the lead by breaking Swiatek's serve. However, Swiatek immediately responded by breaking back, showcasing her increased intensity and pace. As the set reached its climax, Swiatek saved two championship points in a dramatic fashion to level the score.

In an intense tiebreak that lasted over three hours, Swiatek and Sabalenka fought tooth and nail, exchanging mini-breaks and leaving spectators on the edge of their seats. Ultimately, it was Swiatek who maintained her composure and capitalized on Sabalenka's errors, securing her second championship point and clinching the victory.

Following the match, Swiatek reflected on the closely contested battle, acknowledging that both players deserved to win. She highlighted the importance of the little points that ultimately determined the outcome.

With this triumph, Swiatek solidifies her position as one of the most promising talents in women's tennis. Her impressive performance not only adds another accolade to her already stellar career but also sets the stage for future success on the clay court circuit.