MADRID, April 27 — Stefanos Tsitsipas suffered a shock second spherical exit by the hands of world quantity 118 Thiago Monteiro in Madrid in the present day, whereas Iga Swiatek cruised into the last 16 on a wet day on the Caja Magica.
Tsitsipas, who arrived in the Spanish capital with just one defeat on clay this time period, misplaced 6-4, 6-4 to the Brazilian qualifier in simply over 90 minutes.
The Greek world quantity seven had a primary spherical bye and got here into the match on the again of a 3rd title triumph in Monte Carlo and a runner-up exhibiting in Barcelona in the earlier two weeks.
But the left-handed Monteiro appeared extra snug on court docket, benefitting from having already gained three matches this week, by means of qualifying and the principle draw.
Monteiro, 29, landed a surprising 89 per cent of his first serves in all through the conflict with Tsitsipas, who saved three match factors in the last two video games however yielded on the fourth, to reward his opponent a milestone victory.
“For certain this is likely one of the greatest wins of my profession,” stated Monteiro, who is thru to the third spherical at a Masters 1000 occasion for the primary time.
“I knew it was a very robust match however I attempted to consider in myself the entire time. I used to be feeling good on the court docket, I wish to play on clay in altitude.”
Since the beginning of 2021, that is simply the second time in 11 Masters clay tournaments the place Tsitsipas has not made at the least the quarter-finals, and the 25-year-old Greek was disenchanted by his efficiency.
“I simply want I used to be in a position to return the best way I did in the last sport,” stated Tsitsipas.
“I felt out of rhythm the complete match on my returns. I felt very disbalanced and simply my physique was going far and wide.
“It’s not an important feeling, after all, however I’ve to simply accept it and transfer on. I used to be not maybe 100 per cent prepared for this match.”
Poland’s Iga Swiatek returns the ball to Romania’s Sorana Cirstea throughout their second spherical of the 2024 WTA Tour Madrid Open match tennis match at Caja Magica in Madrid April 27, 2024. — eNM pic
(*16*)‘Can nonetheless enhance’
Top seed Jannik Sinner has no such downside in reaching the third spherical.
He prolonged his unbeaten document in opposition to fellow Italians to 13-0 by defeating his Davis Cup teammate and good good friend Lorenzo Sonego 6-0, 6-3 in simply 69 minutes.
Through to the third spherical in Madrid for the second time in three appearances, the highest seed will face Jordan Thompson or Pavel Kotov for a spot in the last 16.
Sinner dropped simply 4 factors behind his first serve in opposition to Sonego and confronted zero break factors.
“I really feel like for those who serve properly right here it’s an enormous weapon,” stated the 22-year-old Italian.
“I didn’t play right here last yr, so in the 2 years since I’ve been right here, I’ve improved many issues.
“I can nonetheless enhance as a result of right here it’s very completely different to play; tomorrow is a apply day, so hopefully I can get a greater really feel of the court docket.”
Over on Manolo Santana stadium, last yr’s ladies’s finalist Swiatek eased previous Romanian Sorana Cirstea 6-1, 6-1 to e book a fourth-round assembly with dwelling favorite Sara Sorribes Tormo or ex-world primary Victoria Azarenka.
Play began with the roof closed as a consequence of moist circumstances however that had no impact on Swiatek, who leapt to a 4-0 lead inside 22 minutes.
The prime seed acquired damaged whereas serving for the opening set at 5-0 however that solely delayed the inevitable as she struck proper again to shut out the set on the 40-minute mark.
The second set adopted an identical sample and Swiatek wrapped up the victory with a service winner, shedding simply two video games in the one-hour 17-minute conflict.
“For certain the climate is completely different than last yr however nonetheless I understand how to play in these sorts of circumstances. I really feel actually snug,” stated Swiatek, who’s looking for a 3rd WTA 1000 crown of the season this week. — eNM
