Sabalenka, Gauff and Swiatek are left searching for answers, as Djokovic’s comeback headlines a wide-open week.

For Sinner, an icy resolve has always been crucial. For Kostyuk, it took years of work to leave the “emotional bombing” behind.

Since the summer of 2024, they have played eight times, and Sinner has won them all. He went on to win the tournament each time.

Since the clay season started, the two finalists have been surging at the same time.

The 24-year-old's progress had been slow and steady for years. This week in Madrid, it turned meteoric.