Madrid Open 2022: 5 best first-round matches ft. Aryna Sabalenka vs Amanda Anisimova, Maria Sakkari vs Madison Keys & more

The field is set for the Madrid Open, the first WTA 1000 event of the clay season.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, along with second seed Paula Badosa, Maria Sakkari, Karolina Pliskova and Danielle Collins, will headline the event. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, coming off a final run at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, will also be in action.

This year's tournament will see some of the top players lock horns as early as the first round, giving fans plenty of exciting tennis action to look forward to in the opening couple of days of the tournament.

Here, we take a look at five Madrid Open women's singles first-round encounters that you cannot afford to miss.

#1 Aryna Sabalenka vs Amanda Anisimova

Anisimova beat Sabalenka at the 2022 Credit One Charleston Open

Despite playing the American three times, Aryna Sabalenka is yet to register a win. Sabalenka came close to tasting her first victory over the American as she led by a set in Charleston earlier this month before the latter staged a comeback.

Anisimova's latest win over the Belarusian should give her plenty of confidence heading into their latest tussle. Two of the biggest strikers in the women's game, Sabalenka and Anisimova could well add another memorable chapter to their budding rivalry in Madrid.

#2 Maria Sakkari vs Madison Keys

BNP Paribas Open - Day 10

Maria Sakkari hasn't made the strongest of starts to the clay season, but the Greek's topspin-heavy game is well-suited to the surface. She will, however, need to be at her best against the hard-hitting Madison Keys in her first match.

Sakkari beat Keys in straight sets in both of the duo's previous meetings, but they have never faced each other on clay.

#3 Jessica Pegula vs Camila Giorgi

2021 French Open - Day 2

Another first-round match-up featuring contrasting styles of play will pit Camila Giorgi's power against Jessica Pegula's consistent baseline game. The Italian will come into the encounter looking to snap a five-match losing streak.

Pegula has beaten Giorgi in four of their six previous meetings, but the duo have split their last two encounters, both of which came on the North American hardcourts last year.

#4 Paula Badosa vs Veronika Kudermetova

Badosa will take on an in-form Kudermetova in the first round of the Madrid Open

Paula Badosa will carry home hopes at the Madrid Open as the top-ranked Spaniard in the field. The Stuttgart semifinalist has been awarded very little breathing room as she will take on an in-form Veronika Kudermetova in the opening round. The Russian reached the final in Istanbul last week before going down to Anastasia Potapova.

Kudermetova leads Badosa 3-1 in the head-to-head and also won their only previous match on clay, which came at last year's Charleston Open. That said, it was the Spaniard who won comfortably at Indian Wells earlier this year.

#5 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Sara Sorribes Tormo

Pavlyuchenkova will be playing in her first claycourt tournament of the season

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova will return to action after being forced to sit out the start of the clay season due to a leg injury. The 2021 Roland Garros finalist has drawn claycourt specialist and home favorite Sara Sorribes Tormo in the opening round. The Spaniard, who has already played nearly half a dozen three-hour matches this season, will not give her opponent anything for free.

Pavlyuchenkova has dominated the rivalry so far, leading Sorribes Tormo 3-1 in the head-to-head. The Spaniard's only win against the Russian came courtesy of a retirement back in 2015.

---

Also Check Out :- Tennis Results Today