Tuesday will see one of the most intense days at the Mutua Madrid Open with a total of 28 matches making up a mouth-watering menu in the Caja Mágica. The women’s quarter finals will be completed while some of the main names in the men’s draw will be taking their first steps out onto the clay.
Dominic Thiem will be starting his Caja Mágica campaign against Pablo Andújar/Marcos Giron. In the match that will close out the day in the Manolo Santana Stadium, the two-time runner-up is starting his clay season and will be bidding to stamp his authority on the surface. The Austrian is one of the hot favourites to lift the trophy in Madrid and this time he will be hoping to deliver.
The gaze of the home fans will be fixed on Roberto Bautista Agut, who will be looking for his first victory in Madrid in the last three years. The world No. 11, a semi-finalist in 2014, is seeking to get a feel for the altitude in the Spanish capital. His opener against Italian player Marco Cecchinato, a qualifier, will provide the first test at his home ATP Masters 1000.
For his part, Andrey Rublev will be one of the men to watch on Tuesday. The Russian player, recent runner-up at the Monte Carlo Masters 1000, could extend his run of form against American player Tommy Paul. Likewise, the Italian Jannik Sinner, a semi-finalist a few days ago at the ATP 500 in Barcelona, will get underway against the Argentinian Guido Pella.
One of the highlights of the day will be provided by Felix Auger-Aliassime and Casper Ruud in the first match in the Arantxa Sánchez Stadium. The Canadian will be attempting to consolidate his status as a member of the world’s top 20 with a solid performance at one of the biggest events on the clay calendar. The Norwegian, recently a semi-finalist in Monte Carlo will be a tough man to beat in the Caja Mágica.
In the women’s competition, the third-round of singles will be completed. Two-time champion Simona Halep will play an enticing match against Belgian player Elise Mertens, a recent winner on the clay of Istanbul. This clash between two players at the peak of their powers is guaranteed to deliver in the Manolo Santana Stadium.
Greek player Maria Sakkari will bring the day’s play to a close in the Manolo Santana Stadium against the Czech Karolina Muchova. Sitting at world No. 19 and 20 in the world, respectively, the two players are currently enjoying the best ranking of their careers. They have never met before on the WTA tour and it will be a clash of contrasting styles that offers one of them a chance to keep climbing.
Fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka will also face Jessica Pegula in an intriguing tie. US player Jennifer Brady will be hoping her topspin is too much for Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova as they search for a quarter-final place at the Mutua Madrid Open.
See full order of play.
