Sabalenka stops Andreeva in her tracks
After three hard-fought three-set wins at the Mutua Madrid Open, Aryna Sabalenka finally enjoyed a more straightforward encounter on Wednesday, against emerging talent Mirra Andreeva (6-1, 6-4). The two-time champion in the Caja Magica required one hour and 19 minutes of tennis, time during which she fired 35 winners and did not concede a single […]
Alcaraz continues to progress, despite bowing out to Rublev
Carlos Alcaraz will not dispute another Mutua Madrid Open semi-final this year after losing 6-4, 3-6, 2-6 to Andrey Rublev in the quarters. Although he was the epitome of concentration in set one, aware of the magnitude of the challenge of toppling a Top 10 player, in the second and third sets he was perhaps […]
Game, set and eternity: Nadal
The close of play on Tuesday provided one of the most special moments in the history of the Mutua Madrid Open. The stroke of midnight between April 30 and May 1 2024 in the Caja Magica marked the moment of the final farewell to the Caja Magica from the five-time champion of the tournament (2005, […]
Keys emulates Williams sisters with great escape against Jabeur
Coming into Madrid, the last time Madison Keys had won three matches in a row was at the 2023 US Open eight months ago. The American power-hitter missed the first two months of this season with a shoulder injury – she tore her latissimus dorsi muscle just two weeks before flying to Australia to kick […]
Alcaraz moves the goalposts
Carlitos made no bones about his goals here at the start of the week. The mission in Madrid was part of a grander plan, to play three or four matches to help him recover his fitness and pick up some competitive court time. The fear of a relapse was looming large at the back of […]
Cerúndolo sinks two-time champion Zverev
Francisco Cerúndolo was not daunted by the 13-centimetre height between him and the man on the other side of the net, Alexander Zverev. Solid from the baseline, opening up angles, playing drop shots and daring passes, the Argentine played out of his skin on Tuesday on the clay of the Arantxa Sánchez Stadium. The Buenos […]
Swiatek seals her passage to the semis
Iga Swiatek is in the Mutua Madrid Open semi-finals after beating Maia Haddad 4-6, 6-0, 6-2. Before today’s tie, the Pole had only dropped eight games in the tournament, leaving in her wake the likes of Sara Sorribes, Sorana Cirstea and Xiyu Wang. The world No. 1 was starting to look more like a repetitive […]
Sabalenka survives Collins’ streak
Collins-Sabalenka. Probably one of the matches so far at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open. Two high-speed trains collided head on in the final match of the Manolo Santana Stadium night session and the result was spectacular. After almost two and a half hours of tennis, Aryna Sabalenka brought Danielle Collins’ streak to an end with […]
Andreeva, a new star in Madrid
It was with rosy cheeks and a nervous smile that Mirra Andreeva spoke to the press after equalling her best performance in the WTA event (quarter-finals) by defeating Jasmine Paolini 7-6, 6-4. Nine years separate the birthday girl (17) from her Italian opponent (28), but once they started knocking up, all the innocence of the […]
Madison Keys makes a statement in the Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Stadium
Coco Gauff began her campaign in Madrid this year like a force of nature. She arrived at the Mutua Madrid Open as the third seed and one of the best players of the year and only dropped five games in her first two matches of the tournament. The American has been in frightening form. However, […]