It was a final for the ages, and it sets the tone brilliantly for what's to come.

No. 1 Iga Swiatek saved three championship points edging No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7), to win her 20th career title in a Madrid classic.

Two locomotives on collision course: It's Swiatek vs Sabalenka for the Madrid crown.

Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced to his maiden Madrid final when Jiri Lehecka retired suffering apparent back spasms in the seventh game of the semifinals.

Andrey Rublev stopped Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3, racing into his 25th career final, including his fifth Masters 1000 final, at the Mutua Madrid Open.

Sabalenka snapped Rybakina's 16-match clay winning streak to reach the final in Madrid.

Medvedev joins the ATP's walking wounded, while Lehecka cracks a milestone.