The Madrid Open continues this week as Marta Kostyuk faces Emma Raducanu while Elena Rybakina goes up against Bianca Andreescu in the competition’s round of 64 stage. Damien Kayat previews.
2025 WTA Tour – ATP 100
Madrid Open
La Caja Magica
Selected RO64 – 25 April
Marta Kostyuk 86/100 | Emma Raducanu 91/100
Things haven’t flowed for Marta Kostyuk this season. The agile Ukrainian has only managed one quarterfinal appearance in her first eight events this season (she was flying at this time last year).
But she did show minor signs of improvement during the ‘Sunshine Double’, reaching the round of 16 in both of those events. But she injured herself during the Billie Jean King Cup and was forced to withdraw from last week’s Stuttgart Open (which turned out to be very costly).
A runner-up in Stuttgart last season, Kostyuk couldn’t defend her points and dropped to 35th in the world rankings. This means that she currently sits outside the French Open seeding spots (which should give her plenty of motivation this week).
Kostyuk has all the ingredients to be a top clay-court player. She is one of the best movers on tour and likes to mix up her game, alternating between all-out aggression and strategic counterpunching. She also possesses a deft touch and loves coming to the net.
Could we be on the verge of an Emma Raducanu resurgence? The 2021 US Open champion has endured well-publicised issues with injury and form these past few years, with many – myself included – accusing her of prioritising off-court concerns.
She had to deal with even more strife this year, breaking down in tears as an apparent stalker accosted her in Dubai. That incident probably has a huge knock-on effect on her form.
She rebounded tremendously in Miami, reaching a maiden WTA 1000 quarterfinal with victories over the likes of Amanda Anisimova and Emma Navarro (she also pushed Pegula in a tight three-set quarterfinal clash).
And she got her clay-court campaign off to an encouraging start, overcoming stubborn resistance from Suzan Lamens to triumph 7-6, 6-4. It was a long-overdue win for the former British No.1 (it was her first outdoor clay-court win in three years).
To be fair, she skipped Roland Garros and Rome in each of the last two seasons (she was eliminated in the first round of this event in each of the last two seasons). Her all-out aggression does tend to become a bit one-dimensional on slower surfaces.
The Verdict: Raducanu to win in straight sets 37/10
These two share the head-to-head spoils at one win apiece. However, Raducanu destroyed the Ukrainian on these courts back in 2022 (which was their most recent meeting). I think the Brit could edge this match.
She wasn’t at her best against Lamens, winning in straight sets despite committing 33 unforced errors. Curiously, she won a higher percentage of points on her 2nd delivery.
She just seems relaxed in interviews, and I think she could overpower a decidedly out-of-form Kostyuk (especially on these relatively quick Madrid clay-courts).
Elena Rybakina 1/5 | Bianca Andreescu 34/10
This should be a fascinating clash of former Grand Slam champions. Elena Rybakina will be making her 2025 clay-court debut this week, looking to rebound after dropping outside the top ten for the first time in recent memory.
The big-serving Kazakh has struggled for consistency in a season highlighted by semifinal runs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The suspension of coach Stefano Vukov obviously had a huge impact on the usually unflappable Kazakh (regardless of the alleged abuse involved in that relationship).
Rybakina hasn’t played since a shock Miami exit and will be hoping the switch to clay results in a switch in fortunes. The two-time Roland Garros quarterfinalist has enjoyed excellent success on the sticky stuff, winning the 2023 Rome title and claiming last year’s Stuttgart crown (her last WTA Tour title victory).
The big-serving Kazakh plays an aggressive brand of first-strike tennis, relying on a big serve and flat groundstrokes (which doesn’t scream clay-court success). Rybakina’s clay-court success is built on the fact that she has the power to penetrate slower surfaces.
It’s crazy to think that 2019 US Open champ Bianca Andreescu is still just 24 years of age.
The former World No.4 has struggled with injury and loss of form in the aftermath of her exceptional 2019 campaign. She barely played last season, returning to action at the French Open after a nine-month injury layoff.
She performed reasonably well upon return, reaching the 3rd round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon (whilst also finishing runner-up at the Rosmalen event). The Canadian suffered a fresh injury blow earlier this year, forced to sit out the start of the season due to appendicitis surgery.
She made her 2025 debut at the Open de Rouen, going down to Lamens in three sets. She looked more limber in her Madrid opener, dusting off the cobwebs to ease past American McCartney Kessler 6-2, 6-4.
It’s surprising that Andreescu is yet to reach a clay-court final in her career. She is a versatile player, capable of playing both aggressive and strategic tennis.
The Verdict: Rybakina to win in three 31/10
Rybakina leads the head-to-head 2-0, winning their most recent meeting at the 2023 Dubai Duty Free Championships. This could be tighter than many suspect, with Rybakina playing very inconsistently of late.
Andreescu looked assured in her opener and will throw in plenty of drop shots to test Rybakina’s movement (which can be a weakness). Still, Rybakina’s power should be enough to overwhelm the cunning Canadian (who may run out of steam this early in her comeback).
