MADRID – Power regained at the Kahamajika Tennis Complex on Tuesday, and the Madrid Open resumed on a packed schedule, including the second Iga Swiatek, who will advance to the quarterfinals after a “more relaxed” day due to a blackout.
Top-ranked Alina Sabalenka beat Payton Stearns in a straight set to make it to the final eight, but on the men’s side, top-seeded Alexander Zverev was upset by Argentina’s 21st place Francisco Cerundo.
Following a major blackout that led to 22 games being postponed on Monday, Swiatek returned to Centre Court and was on track to defend her title in the Spanish capital, beating Diana Shnaider 6-0, 6-7 (3), 6-4.
“I liked yesterday. I think the whole world was more relaxed. Obviously, they were people who didn’t lose because of this,” she said. “I enjoyed my days off and I just tried to recover because I had to make sure I had a taste of these free days.”
Swiatek said he’ll remove the food from the tournament site and relax in the hotel and get the power back.
“I just chilled it out and used the time to not think about what I should have,” she said. “There was no signal so basically no one used their phone. That was good, I liked it.”
Most parts of Madrid regained power overnight, but Kaja Magica still had no electricity early on Tuesday, and the opening of fan gates was delayed.
However, the strength quickly returned, but the organizers didn’t have to reschedule the day’s games, but the number of games during the day could delay night sessions.
Swiatek to head to the key
Swiatek cruised in the first set, but had to save 11 of his 13 breakpoints to seal a fierce battle victory against 13-seeded Schneider.
Swiatek has not lost in seven tournaments this season before the quarterfinals, but hasn’t passed the semifinals since last year’s Roland Garros. She will then face the Madison Keys, who defeated Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3.
Despite winning match points in the Australian Open semifinals that the Keys acquired, Swiatek will be his first meeting with the Keys as she was defeated.
“I played here last year and I think it was a night session or something,” Swiatek said. “I don’t know, I think it was cold or a bit different, so I’ll certainly watch that match.”
Sabalenka reaches the final eight again
Sabalenka beat 44th place Stearns 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the Madrid quarterfinals for the fourth time in five years.
This was the 28th victory for the two Madrid champions this season, leading the WTA Tour. She was associated with Jessica Pegra at 27.
Sabalenka lost the final to Swiatek last year.
Zverev was exiled
Cerundolo defeated second-placed Zverev 7-5, 6-3 to continue the burgeoning rankings.
Cerundolo, who defeated Zveres in Madrid last year, defeated one serve in each set, saving the only opportunity he recognized on the centre court.
He defeated Zverev in Madrid last year.
Zverev is out of the title in Munich and proceeds to defend his title in Rome.
“He played better than me today,” Zverev said. “He definitely played better than me when he played here last year, but to be honest, I didn’t play badly.
Berettini got injured
On the men’s side, 31st place Matteo Berettini retreated with an abdominal injury after losing his first set of 7-6 (2) to 6th place Jack Draper.
Sixth seed Alex de Minaur tied up Carlos Alcaraz in his 24th Tour-leading victory this season, passing Dennis Shapovalov 6-3, 7-6 (3).
Next, De Minaur, who finished 7th, will face Lorenzo Musetti, who defeated 2019 runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 7-6 (3).
Americans Tommy Paul and Francis Tiafoe both won the match. 11th seed Paul defeated Karen Khachanov 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, while 16th seed Tierfoe defeated Alexandre Muller 6-3, 6-3.
Paul was among those who had to play doubles on the same day as a singles match. The other was 19-year-old Jakub Mensik. The Miami winner defeated Alexander Bubrick 6-3, 6-2 before having to play a doubles match in the same courtroom a little later.
Bublik, 27, joked in a conversation with the referee in the match during the switch.
“Remember when tennis was easy? It was so easy to play tennis like it was five years ago,” the four-time tour winner said. “A bunch of random people in the top 50. It’s barely moving. Now this guy is in the top 5, not even in the top 10. What is that?”
Ninth seed Danil Medvedev coincided with his career-high results in Madrid by reaching the final eight in a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over American Brandon Nakashima. Fourth place Taylor Fritz lost 7-5, 6-4 to Casperude, with another American removed.
Ticket holder refund
There was a large line outside the complex, and no one with tickets for Monday’s game returned on Tuesday.
“No one said anything yet,” Juan Duato said. “They said we couldn’t get in and asked us to contact customer support. Apparently they’ll email us.”
Organizers said later Tuesday that anyone who purchased a ticket on Monday will receive a full refund for their purchase. The process will run automatically over the next few days.
