The Madrid Open resumed on Tuesday after Spain's national power blackout forced Monday's matches to be postponed, packing both round of 32 and last 16 into a single day. Fans were treated to a roller coaster of upsets and comeback wins as players battled on delayed courts.
In a stunning round of 16 result, top seed Alexander Zverev of Germany fell to Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3. Czech rising star Jakub Mensik continued his breakout run, dismantling Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik 6-2, 6-3 to book his quarterfinal spot.
The earlier men's round of 32 was no less dramatic. 11th seed Tommy Paul edged Russia's Karen Khachanov 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, while American Frances Tiafoe cruised past France's Alexandre Muller with a 6-3, 6-3 scoreline. Canada's Gabriel Diallo fought back from a first-set loss to oust Britain's Cameron Norrie 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a two-and-a-half-hour battle.
Other highlights included Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas toppling Italy's Lorenzo Musetti 7-5, 7-6(3), Australia's Alex de Minaur dispatching Canada's Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 7-6(3), and Britain's Jack Draper advancing after Matteo Berrettini retired due to injury.
On the women's side, Poland's Iga Swiatek showed resilience, grinding out a three-set win over Russia's Diana Shnaider, 6-0, 6-7(3), 6-4. US star Madison Keys breezed past Croatia's Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3, while top seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus asserted her dominance with a 6-2, 6-4 win over the USA's Peyton Stearns, showcasing her powerful service games.
With fatigue setting in from the compressed schedule, momentum is everything as players shift focus to the quarterfinals. Stay tuned as the Madrid Open heats up and contenders vie for clay-court glory.
Reference(s):
Zverev bows out, Sabalenka progresses on women's side at Madrid Open
cgtn.com
