Jan 28, 2023; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates against Elena Ribakina of Kazakhstan during the women’s singles final on day thirteen of the 2023 Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park.

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Aryna Sabalenka vs. Peyton Stearns Head to Head Record, Preview and Prediction for WTA Madrid Open 2025 Round of 16

Winner to face Kostyuk or Potapova in the QF.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka enters familiar territory when she appears for her Mutua Madrid Open 2025 Round of 16 contest against American Peyton Stearns. Narrowly losing out on the title last year, the 26-year-old will be uncontrollably charged up to go one step further at the Spanish capital. However, Stearns is no walkover of an opposition. Both players have overcome seeded stars en route to the pre-quarters.

In the Round of 32, Sabalenka defeated a well-known foe in the form of Elise Mertens. The three-time Grand Slam winner dropped the first set, before pulling back. She has reached five finals in 2025 – including three consecutive summit clashes coming into this competition. With two trophies to her name, Sabalenka is well and truly the WTA’s headliner.

Peyton Stearns needed just an hour and five minutes to thrash qualifier Rebeka Masarova in her Round-3 encounter at La Caja Magica. At the age of 23, she already has victories over the likes of Ons Jabeur, Zheng Qinwen and Madison Keys on the circuit. Stearns is currently ranked No. 44 in the world, and has all the shots to upset some of the topmost players of the world.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Peyton Stearns Head to Head Record

Aryna Sabalenka leads the head to head against Peyton Stearns 1-0. Their only previous match was at Indian Wells in 2024.

Sabalenka and Stearns clashed in the Round of 64 at the Californian desert last year – the World No. 1 prevailed on the night after being handed a massive scare. For Stearns, her squandering of four match points will perhaps keep ringing at the back of her head. She lost the deciding tiebreak 8-6 and crashed out of the tournament. But if their solitary tussle is anything to go by, Madrid’s crowd will be treated to a shotmaking festival on Monday.

Event	Round	Winner	Score
2024 Indian Wells	Round of 64	Aryna Sabalenka	6-7(2) 6-2 7-6(6)

Aryna Sabalenka vs Peyton Stearns Titles Comparison

Aryna Sabalenka	Category	Peyton Stearns
3	Grand Slams	0
19	WTA Singles Titles	1
6	WTA Doubles Titles	0
8	WTA-1000 Titles	0
R2 (Tokyo 2020)	Olympics Best Performance	–
No. 1	Current World Ranking	No. 44

Aryna Sabalenka vs Peyton Stearns Madrid Open 2025 Prediction

Can Aryna Sabalenka keep this clay form up as she aims for her first French Open? 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/O5iwSs6xBp
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) April 27, 2025

On a surface like clay, Aryna Sabalenka’s superior court coverage and topspin shots will be more effective. The Belarusian manages incredible revs on the ball, generates tantalising angles on the court, and bludgeons the ball from any position. Moreover, Sabalenka is the master of turning defence into attack. Although Stearns’ tactic could revolve around taking the ball early and going up to the net, our prediction is that she could be handed a rude awakening.

Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Peyton Stearns Madrid Open 2025 Betting Odds

Aryna Sabalenka Win: 1/8

Peyton Stearns Win: 6/1

Aryna Sabalenka

Betting

Iga Swiatek

Madrid Open

Peyton Stearns

Roland Garros

Tennis

WTA

WTA 1000

Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.