Home Unlabelled Madrid Open: Swiatek Retires, Sabalenka Rolls, Zverev Survives Scare

Madrid Open: Swiatek Retires, Sabalenka Rolls, Zverev Survives Scare

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Virus forces Iga Swiatek Out of Madrid
Virus forces Swiatek Out of Madrid

Defending champion Iga Swiatek retires ill vs Ann Li at Madrid Open. Aryna Sabalenka beats Cristian, Zverev beats Navone, Ruud crushes Munar.


Aryna Sabalenka, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud and Mirra Andreeva all advance in Madrid...

 
Swiatek Retires From Madrid Open in Third Round, Zverev and Sabalenka Advance


Iga Swiatek was forced to retire in the third round of the Madrid Open on Saturday due to a viral illness. Reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka extended her winning run to 14 matches.


The 2024 champion in Madrid, Swiatek recovered from a set down against American 31st seed Ann Li to level the match. But she ended proceedings while trailing 0-3 in the decider.

 
The Polish six-time Grand Slam champion called for the doctor after being broken early in the third set and had her vitals checked.

 
She tried to break Li back. But when her opponent held for a 3-0 lead, the fourth seed realized she could not continue.


She revealed after the match that she had been fighting a stomach virus for the last two days. She was hoping she could still find a way to win despite feeling “terrible.”

 
“I heard there is something going on between players, that the virus is somewhere on site. I'm sure I'll be fine in a couple of days, but I had zero energy and zero stability and just felt really bad physically, and yesterday even worse,” said Swiatek.


It is Swiatek's earliest exit in five Madrid appearances.




“On the court before the tournament, I felt like I'm playing great, so actually it's sad for me that I can't play, because I was feeling really good with my game, and I was moving forward in the process, so, this was positive,” she said.


“But for me, the tournament has just started, and I couldn't even compete today, so it's disappointing.”


Meanwhile, Sabalenka moved into the last 16 with a smooth 6-1, 6-4 win over Romania's Jaqueline Cristian. At the net, Cristian told her she was “too good” and said she hopes the world number one goes on to win the tournament.

 
Sabalenka played a near-flawless opening set. She won 89 per cent of her points on serve.


Cristian put up a bigger fight in the second set. But Sabalenka got the decisive break in the ninth game on her way to a convincing win.







The three-time Madrid champion, who next plays ex-world number one Naomi Osaka after Osaka beat Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina, is known for her power game. But she showed some flair against Cristian. She hit a running one-handed backhand passing shot in the first set and finished the match with a clever drop shot winner.


“Especially in the first set, that was incredible level from me. I even hit a one-handed backhand, which is a little bit crazy,” said the four-time major winner. “I think that was the shot of my life, that's for sure.”




Earlier in the day, 15th seed Iva Jovic let a lead slip and fell 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to Canadian 24th seed Leylah Fernandez. Fernandez will be Li's opponent in the last 16.



Andreeva Battles Past Galfi as Zverev and Ruud Also Advance

Ninth seed Mirra Andreeva of Russia overcame an inspired Dalma Galfi 6-3, 6-2. The match was much closer than the scoreline suggested.


The Hungarian qualifier, ranked 117th in the world, broke early in both sets. But she could not hold her advantage. Andreeva recovered to improve her clay-court record this season to 9-1. She now faces another Hungarian, Anna Bondar, in the last 16.






In ATP action, defending champion Casper Ruud cruised into the third round. He demolished home favorite Jaume Munar 6-0, 6-1.


The 12th-seeded Norwegian will face Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina next.


Second seed Alexander Zverev opened his campaign with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win over recent Bucharest champion Mariano Navone. He had to recover after a “terrible” second set. 


“First set was almost perfect, and then I lost focus completely, and then the second set was terrible,” said Zverev, a two-time Madrid champion in 2018 and 2021.


“But that's what happens sometimes, first match of a tournament. I definitely have to focus a bit better, but the level was there.”

  
Zverev next plays Terence Atmane. Atmane battled through severe cramps to win an all-French clash 7-6(3), 7-6(5) against 30th seed Ugo Humbert.




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