PREVIEW | WTA Madrid Open 2025 - Day 4: Sabalenka, Pegula, Raducanu all in action
WTAFriday, 25 April 2025 at 08:12
The fourth day of the WTA Mutua Madrid Open 2025 features a luxury line-up with high-caliber matches from early on. On Friday, April 25, there will be many protagonists on stage. No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, local favorite Paula Badosa and other top players on Tour will be fighting for a place in the third round of the tournament.
After an action-packed Thursday, the Madrid Open is preparing for a Friday full of tennis with several duels to watch out for. After the comeback of the number 2, Iga Swiatek, against the Philippine Alexandra Eala, it has been demonstrated that the competition in the Spanish capital will be fierce from the start.
In addition to Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka, stars like Emma Raducanu, Jasmine Paolini and Jessica Pegula will also be taking the court. Here are the highlights of the day's matches.
Paula Badosa - Veronika Kudermetova: Looking for a good feeling at home
World No. 9 Paula Badosa faces her seventh match against the elder of the Russian sisters, who justly earned her ticket to face the powerful Spaniard after defeating her sister Polina in the first round.
Badosa has very good performances this season, despite the physical problems that forced her to be out of action for several weeks. It is an excellent opportunity for the former number 2 to take advantage of playing in front of her home crowd and get a good win against Kudermetova.
Veronika Kudermetova has already had good performances at the Madrid Open, reaching the semifinals in 2023. The Russian leads the head-to-head 4-2, but they have not met since 2022.
Match Info:
Paula Badosa - Veronika Kudermetova
Start time (local): Fri, 25 Apr, 11:00 AM
Start time (your time): Fri, 25 Apr, 5:00 PM
Court: Manolo Santana Stadium
Tournament: Mutua Madrid Open
Round: Round of 64
Head-to-Head
| Badosa | Kudermetova | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 2 | 4 |
| Win Streak | 0 | 1 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 9 | 52 |
| Race Ranking | 13 | 33 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 9 | 48 (+4) |
| Live Race Ranking | 13 | 31 (+2) |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 27 (15 Nov 1997) | 28 (24 Apr 1997) |
| Birthplace | New York City, United States | Kazan, Russia |
| Residence | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Moscow, Russia |
| Height | 5'10" (180cm) | 5'8" (175cm) |
| Weight | 154lbs (70kg) | 139lbs (63kg) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2013 | 2012 |
| Coach | Pol Toledo Bagué | Sergei Demekhine (2012–), Vladimír Pláteník (2021–2023),, Dmitry Tursunov (2023) |
| YTD W/L | 12-5 (71%) | 17-10 (63%) |
| YTD Titles | - | - |
| Career Titles | 4 | 2 |
| Prize Money | $8,802,690 | US$ 8,216,770 |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
V Kudermetova d P Badosa French Open - Round of 326-3 | 2-1 28 May 2022 |
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P Badosa d V Kudermetova WTA Madrid - Round of 646-3 | 6-0 28 Apr 2022 |
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P Badosa d V Kudermetova WTA Indian Wells - Quarterfinal6-3 | 6-2 17 Mar 2022 |
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V Kudermetova d P Badosa WTA Charleston - Semifinal6-3 | 6-3 10 Apr 2021 |
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V Kudermetova d P Badosa WTA Abu Dhabi - Round of 166-4 | 4-6 | 6-1 10 Jan 2021 |
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V Kudermetova d P Badosa WTA Indian Wells - Qualification6-3 | 6-2 4 Mar 2019 |
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Katie Boulter - Jasmine Paolini: The Italian is on the rise
UK No. 1 Katie Boulter arrives confident after defeating Czech Katerina Siniakova in a very close first round match. Boulter, ranked number 40, is having a good campaign in this 2025, not only in the WTA Tour but also in the Billie Jean King Cup, leading her team to the Final Stage.
Paolini, seeded sixth, also comes on the rise, getting into the top four of the last Stuttgart Open, losing to Sabalenka;
Boulter representing the United Kingdom in the Billie Jean King Cup.
They are evenly matched at 2-2, although this will be their first meeting on clay, where the Italian has a slight advantage due to her style of play.
The winner of this match will face the winner of the match between Magda Linette and former No. 3 Maria Sakkari.
Match Info:
Katie Boulter - Jasmine Paolini
Start time (local): Fri, 25 Apr, 11:00 AM
Start time (your time): Fri, 25 Apr, 5:00 PM
Court: Stadium 3
Tournament: Mutua Madrid Open
Round: Round of 64
Head-to-Head
| Boulter | Paolini | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 2 | 2 |
| Win Streak | 0 | 1 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 40 | 6 |
| Race Ranking | 52 | 15 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 38 (+2) | 5 (+1) |
| Live Race Ranking | 52 | 15 |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 28 (1 Aug 1996) | 29 (4 Jan 1996) |
| Birthplace | Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire, UK | Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Tuscany, Italy |
| Residence | - | Bagni di Lucca, Tuscany, Italy |
| Height | 5'11" (182cm) | 5'2" (160cm) |
| Weight | 150lbs (68kg) | - |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2013 | 2011 |
| Coach | Biljana Veselinovic | Renzo Furlan (2020-Apr 2025), Marc López (Apr 2025-) |
| YTD W/L | 5-5 (50%) | 12-7 (63%) |
| YTD Titles | - | - |
| Career Titles | 3 | 2 |
| Prize Money | US$ 3,322,955 | US$ 9,631,944 |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
J Paolini d K Boulter WTA Eastbourne - Quarterfinal6-1 | 7-6 27 Jun 2024 |
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K Boulter d J Paolini WTA Linz - Round of 326-2 | 6-2 29 Jan 2024 |
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J Paolini d K Boulter WTA Indian Wells - Round of 1286-3 | 6-2 10 Mar 2022 |
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K Boulter d J Paolini ITFImola -6-2 | 6-2 17 Jul 2014 |
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Emma Raducanu - Marta Kostyuk: Revenge in Madrid
Former Tour No. 10 Emma Raducanu got off on the right foot at the Madrid Open 2025 by beating Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands in straight sets in the first round of the tournament, showing a good adaptation to clay.
The Ukrainian had to withdraw from the Stuttgart Open 2025 due to physical discomfort before her match against Mirra Andreeva in the first round. With an 11-9 record this season, Kostyuk needs to get more minutes on court to avoid being out of rhythm at Roland Garros.
The record between the two is even at 1-1, and curiously their last meeting was in the Spanish capital, precisely at the Madrid Open 2022. On that occasion, Raducanu crushed Kostyuk 6-2, 6-1.
The winner of this match will face the winner of the clash between Jasmine Paolini and Katie Boulter. Is there a 100% British duel in the third round?
Match Info:
Emma Raducanu - Marta Kostyuk
Start time (local): Fri, 25 Apr, 2:30 PM
Start time (your time): Fri, 25 Apr, 8:30 PM
Court: Court 4
Tournament: Mutua Madrid Open
Round: Round of 64
Head-to-Head
| Raducanu | Kostyuk | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 1 | 1 |
| Win Streak | 1 | 0 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 49 | 36 |
| Race Ranking | 44 | 27 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 47 (+2) | 33 (+3) |
| Live Race Ranking | 44 | 29 (-2) |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 22 (13 Nov 2002) | 22 (28 Jun 2002) |
| Birthplace | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Residence | Bromley, London, England | Monte Carlo, Monaco |
| Height | - | 5'7" (171cm) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | - | 2018 |
| Coach | Nick Cavaday | Talina Beiko, Sandra Zaniewska (2023—) |
| YTD W/L | 7-7 (50%) | 11-9 (55%) |
| YTD Titles | - | - |
| Career Titles | 1 | 1 |
| Prize Money | US$ 4,905,443 | US$ 5,474,826 |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
E Raducanu d M Kostyuk WTA Madrid - Round of 326-2 | 6-1 1 May 2022 |
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M Kostyuk d E Raducanu WTA Cluj Napoca 2 - Quarterfinal6-2 | 6-1 29 Oct 2021 |
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Aryna Sabalenka - Anna Blinkova: The No. 1 starts her journey
The Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka is looking for her third title in the Spanish capital. After a very good week in Stuttgart where she again fell short in the final, the number 1 wants to confirm her good level in this European tour on clay.
Sabalenka has been having a very good season in which the theme has been to sweep to the final and stay at the gates of the title. With two titles in 2025 (Brisbane and Miami), the best racket of the Tour aspires to maintain her level of play towards her big goal, to win her first Roland Garros.
On the other side of the court will be Russia's Anna Blinkova, who has just earned her place in the qualifying round of the tournament;
The history between the two women shows Sabalenka as the clear winner, with three wins and zero defeats against her rival.
In the third round she would play against the winner of the match between the Colombian Camila Osorio and the Belgian Elise Mertens.
Match Info:
Aryna Sabalenka - Anna Blinkova
Start time (local): Fri, 25 Apr, 12:10 PM
Start time (your time): Fri, 25 Apr, 6:10 PM
Court: Manolo Santana Stadium
Tournament: Mutua Madrid Open
Round: Round of 64
Head-to-Head
| Sabalenka | Blinkova | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 3 | 0 |
| Win Streak | 3 | 0 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 1 | 76 |
| Race Ranking | 1 | 46 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 1 | 68 (+8) |
| Live Race Ranking | 1 | 40 (+6) |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 26 (5 May 1998) | 26 (10 Sep 1998) |
| Birthplace | Minsk, Belarus | Moscow, Russia |
| Residence | Miami, Florida, US | - |
| Height | 5'11" (182cm) | 5'10" (179cm) |
| Weight | 176lbs (80kg) | 154lbs (70kg) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right |
| Turned Pro | 2015 | 2015 |
| Coach | Anton Dubrov | Gerard Solves, Xavier Pujo (2024-),, Ivo Klec (-2024) |
| YTD W/L | 23-5 (82%) | 12-9 (57%) |
| YTD Titles | 2 | - |
| Career Titles | 19 | 1 |
| Prize Money | US$33,287,633 - 9th in all-time rankings | US$ 3,768,331 |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
A Sabalenka d A Blinkova Wimbledon - Round of 326-2 | 6-3 8 Jul 2023 |
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A Sabalenka d A Blinkova WTA Strasbourg - Round of 161-6 | 6-4 | 6-2 23 Sep 2020 |
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A Sabalenka d A Blinkova ITF Great Britain 09A - Quarterfinal7-6 | 5-7 | 6-3 16 Jun 2017 |
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Sonay Kartal - Elina Svitolina: British revelation meets Ukrainian experience
Rising British 60th-ranked Sonay Kartal looks to continue adding to her Tour experience against the newly crowned Rouen Open champion. Kartal eliminated Romanian Jacqueline Cristian to earn her place in this round and looks to be feeling better and better, aiming to break the top 50 this season.
Svitolina looks renewed, playing perhaps the best tennis of her career, winning 18 matches and losing only 6 so far this season. Undoubtedly, facing the Ukrainian in the second round will not be an easy task for Kartal;
It will be her first head-to-head, and the prize for the winner could be a possible showdown against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in the next round.
Match Info:
Sonay Kartal - Elina Svitolina
Start time (local): Fri, 25 Apr, 1:20 PM
Start time (your time): Fri, 25 Apr, 7:20 PM
Court: Court 4
Tournament: Mutua Madrid Open
Round: Round of 64
Head-to-Head
| Kartal | Svitolina | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 0 | 0 |
| Win Streak | 0 | 0 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 60 | 17 |
| Race Ranking | 88 | 16 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 54 (+6) | 17 |
| Live Race Ranking | 83 (+5) | 16 |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 23 (28 Oct 2001) | 30 (12 Sep 1994) |
| Birthplace | London, England | Odesa, Ukraine |
| Residence | Brighton, England | London, England,Odesa, Ukraine |
| Height | - | 5'8" (174cm) |
| Weight | - | 132lbs (60kg) |
| Plays | Right (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | - | 2010 |
| Coach | Julie Hobbs,, Ben & Martin Reeves | Raemon Sluiter (2023–present) |
| YTD W/L | 10-7 (59%) | 18-6 (75%) |
| YTD Titles | - | 1 |
| Career Titles | 1 | 18 |
| Prize Money | $765,556 | US$ 25,082,844 - 14th in all-time rankings |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
First meeting |
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Jessica Pegula - Eva Lys: The best American on clay makes her debut in Madrid
Jessica Pegula, a finalist in Madrid in 2022, begins her journey against Germany's Eva Lys, currently ranked No. 120. The American, ranked No. 3 in the WTA, already has two titles so far in 2025 (Austin and Charleston), winning 82% of her matches in the current campaign and winning her first title on clay so she has confidence to spare.
The 30-year-old tennis player stands out for the consistency of her game and her approach to matches, which makes her a subscriber to the final stages in most of the events in which she competes.
On the other hand, the Teutonic player is taking her first steps in the Tour, so she has a hard time against the experience of Pegula, finalist of the last US Open;
Match Info:
Jessica Pegula - Eva Lys
Start time (local): Fri, 25 Apr, 7:00 PM
Start time (your time): Sat, 26 Apr, 1:00 AM
Court: Arantxa Sanchez Stadium
Tournament: Mutua Madrid Open
Round: Round of 64
Head-to-Head
| Pegula | Lys | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 0 | 0 |
| Win Streak | 0 | 0 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 3 | 68 |
| Race Ranking | 5 | 49 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 3 | 63 (+5) |
| Live Race Ranking | 5 | 47 (+2) |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 31 (24 Feb 1994) | 23 (12 Jan 2002) |
| Birthplace | Buffalo, New York, US | Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Residence | Boca Raton, Florida, US | - |
| Height | 5'6" (170cm) | - |
| Weight | 154lbs (70kg) | - |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2012 | - |
| Coach | Mark Knowles, Mark Merklein (2024–) | - |
| YTD W/L | 24-7 (77%) | 12-9 (57%) |
| YTD Titles | 2 | - |
| Career Titles | 8 | 3 ITF |
| Prize Money | US$ 17,753,964 - 32nd in all-time rankings | $1,156,880 |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
First meeting |
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