Aryna Sabalenka defeats Ashleigh Barty to take Madrid Open title

Aryna Sabalenka put on a powerful display to beat world number one Ashleigh Barty 6-0 3-6 6-4 and win the Madrid Open.

The Belarusian raced through the opening set in just 25 minutes as Barty failed to win a game in a set for the first time in four years.

Sabalenka's standard dropped in the second set as Barty dug in to level it.

A sloppy service game from Barty at 4-4 in the third handed the advantage to Sabalenka who served out for the win.

It was revenge for Sabalenka after Barty had come from a set down to beat her in the final in Stuttgart two weeks ago.

"To be honest, after the final in Stuttgart I was injured, I couldn't move and wanted to withdraw," Sabalenka said after she claimed her 10th career title.

"But the recovery was good, in four days I feel better and now I'm the champion. It's been an amazing week."

The win also ended Barty's winning run on clay stretching back to Rome in 2019, just before she won her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open.