Madrid Open Day 1 Highlights
The Madrid Open continued to bring the heat yesterday, with a packed schedule of matches delivering everything from straight-set dominations to nail-biting tiebreak finishes across both the men’s and women’s draws.
ATP Tour Highlights
Roberto Bautista Agut showed poise and consistency to outplay Jaume Munar in two tight sets, 6-4, 7-5, showing he’s still got plenty in the tank. Fellow Spaniard Pedro Martínez Portero wasn’t as fortunate, falling in straight sets to Argentina’s Facundo Comesaña, who impressed with a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Arthur Rinderknech provided one of the most dramatic matches of the day, edging Roman Safiullin in two thrilling tiebreaks (7-6, 7-6). Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi and Australian Christopher O’Connell both handled business efficiently in straight sets.
Meanwhile, upsets peppered the draw. Croatian veteran Marin Čilić was bounced by Bonzi, and experienced campaigners like Fabio Fognini and Albert Ramos Viñolas couldn’t find their rhythm against younger opposition.
Nuno Borges survived a war against Pablo Carreño Busta, triumphing in a three-set marathon 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, showing incredible mental strength under pressure.
WTA Tour Highlights
The women’s side of the draw brought just as much fire.
American rising star Alycia Parks rolled past Kasintseva in convincing fashion, 6-3, 6-3, while Daria Kasatkina had to dig deep in a tricky encounter against Sorana Cîrstea. Meanwhile, Greek standout Maria Sakkari narrowly avoided an upset, overcoming Wang Xin in a rollercoaster 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 battle.
One of the biggest stories of the day was the return to form from Emma Raducanu, who clinched a gritty three-set win over Lamens, showing the kind of resilience that won her the US Open.
Elsewhere, teenage phenoms were on full display. Ella Sevastova beat Pavlyuchenkova in a strong showing, while Erika Andreeva took down the experienced Bianca Andreescu in a stunning upset.
Dayana Yastremska also staged a late-night epic, defeating Fran Jones 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 in a match that had the crowd on edge until the last point.