Rafael Nadal survived his toughest physical test yet at the Madrid Open to reach the last 16 while Iga Swiatek also advanced on Monday.
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NADAL SURVIVES PHYSICAL TEST TO BEAT CACHIN, REACH LAST 16
Nadal got through his toughest physical test in Madrid so far after pulling off a 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3 win over Pedro Cachin to advance to the last 16.
The former world No.1 was dragged to three sets for the first time in the tournament before ousting world No.91 Cachin.
“It’s positive. Now, I don’t feel that something went wrong on my body, but I need to wait until tomorrow, being 100% honest,” Nadal said.
“To keep playing in front of this amazing crowd and, to me, that means everything,” he added.
The 37-year-old is using this tournament in preparation for next month’s French Open, which he has won a record 14 times.
SINNER, MEDVEDEV HURDLE FOES TO ADVANCE
Top seed Jannik Sinner also had tough moments before posting a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Pavel Kotov.
The world No.2 overcame a hip issue to advance to the next round, where he will face No.16 seed Karen Khachanov.
“I have been struggling a little bit with my right hip,” Sinner said.
“We’re trying to find a solution and I don’t think it’s anything serious. Sometimes I feel it more like today and some days are a little bit better,” he added.
Daniil Medvedev rallied to beat Sebastian Korda, 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-4, while No.5 seed Casper Ruud defeated Cameron Norrie, 6-2, 6-4.
SWIATEK DISPATCHES TORMO TO REACH MADRID QUARTERFINALS
Iga Swiatek made short work of Sara Sorribes Tormo, 6-1, 6-0, to reach the quarterfinals and stay on course for her first Madrid title.
The world No.1 dropped only five points in the second set to oust Tormo, the last Spanish woman in the draw.
Swiatek will next face Beatriz Haddad Maia, who beat No.5 seed Maria Sakkari, 6-4, 6-4.
Defending Madrid champion Aryna Sabalenkam who beat Swiatek in the final last year, defeated No.15 seed Danielle Collins, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
The win sent Sabalenka to her first WTA 100 quarterfinal this season while she stopped Collins’ 15-match winning streak.
Mirra Andreeva celebrated her 17th birthday by pulling off a 7-6(2), 6-4 decision over No.12 seed Jasmine Piolini.
In another women’s singles match, No.4 seed Elena Rybakina upended teenage qualifier Sara Bejlek, 6-1, 6-3.
