Madrid Day 1: Sonmez Makes History, Cilic Outlasts Bergs in Three

Sonmez makes Turkish tennis history in Madrid

Zeynep Sonmez continued her strong 2026 by becoming the first Turkish player to win in Madrid. After reaching the Australian Open third round, Sonmez earned another milestone with her first Madrid win. 2014 US Open champ Marin Cilic fought back to beat Zizou Bergs and will face Joao Fonseca next.

First-round action in Madrid saw Zeynep Sonmez make history for Turkey with a 7-5, 6-2 win. Marin Cilic, Eva Lys, Shuai Zhang, and Elena Gabriela Ruse were also in action on Tuesday...

Zeynep Sonmez makes Turkish history in Madrid as Marin Cilic grinds through

Zeynep Sonmez became the first Turkish player to win a match at the Madrid Open, beating wildcard and home favorite Carlota Martinez Cirez 7-5, 6-2 in the first round.

Sonmez has had a strong 2026, reaching the Australian Open third round and becoming the first Turkish woman in the Open Era to win a match there. Now at a career-high No. 67, she showed her progress against the Spaniard.

Never backed down 💪@ZeynepSonmez__ continues to battle as she tries to serve out the first set#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/fKSvngRUsZ

— wta (@WTA) April 22, 2026

The first set was a topsy-turvy battle with seven breaks of serve. Sonmez saved three set points down 4-5, 0-40 before taking the opener. The second set was far more straightforward, and she closed out the win in 1 hour, 53 minutes.

⚡️ Fierce Finish ⚡️@ZeynepSonmez__ grabs her first win in Madrid in straight sets!#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/9YTHNyCCdv

— wta (@WTA) April 22, 2026

Elena Gabriela Ruse, who made her first WTA 500 semifinal in Linz just under two weeks ago, had to dig deep to get past Antonia Ruzic 6-3, 4-6, 6-0.

Eva Lys had no such luck, falling 6-4, 6-3 to Shuai Zhang. The German has struggled for form since an Australian Open injury, while Zhang snapped a six-match losing streak.

On the men’s side, 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic earned a strong win over Zizou Bergs, rallying from a set down to prevail 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Comeback complete 💪

Marin CIlic fights back from a set down as he takes out ZIzou Bergs 4-6 6-3 6-4 🔥#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/nNrZmpDBHW

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 22, 2026

  

The 37-year-old now faces Joao Fonseca in the second round - a player 18 years his junior.