How will Aryna Sabalenka fare in her 2026 clay-court debut? | Madrid Preview & Picks

For now, Sabalenka is beginning in the suitable place. She’s a three-time champion in Madrid, and the quick situations there go well with her attack-first recreation. Stearns, although, might not be the simplest of opening opponents. Sabalenka is 2-0 towards the American, however the first of these matches was a protracted wrestle at Indian Wells in 2024 that ended with her saving 4 match factors to win 8-6 in a third-set tiebreaker. Their second match, which passed off in Madrid 12 months in the past, was a extra routine 6-2, 6-4 win.

Still, Stearns, an athlete with a full-throttle forehand of her personal, has performed some good tennis not too long ago, profitable a title in Austin, and her semifinal run in Rome final 12 months reveals she will get snug on clay. Winner: Sabalenka