After Saturday’s first half of second-round action at the Mutua Madrid Open, Sunday’s schedule featured the remaining matches that defined the third-round pairs. Let’s do a recap and share the best photos taken by Jimmie48.
Not surprisingly, Naomi Osaka fell to Karolina Muchova in the second round. A master of hardcourts, Osaka is still perfecting her game on clay, while Muchova is always a tricky opponent.
The 24-year-old Muchova eased through the deciding set to win 6-4 3-6 6-1 and capture her third victory over a Top 10 player this season. The Czech is playing Madrid on a career-high ranking of No.20.
Even though she recorded this big victory, Muchova says that she’s still not 100% healed after taking the last two months to heal an abdominal injury.
I’m getting used to play again matches match by match and regenerate and recover better. I feel like I’m close.
When it comes to fashion, Adidas-clad Muchova is wearing the Prime Dope Dye Dress.
In the third round, Muchova will face Maria Sakkari, as the 16th seed defeated Anett Kontaveit 6-3 6-1 on Sunday. The Greek is also an Adidas player, promoting the Prime Dope Dye Y-Tank and Skirt from the new highly sustainable collection marked by iridescent hues.
Entering Madrid after a runner-up finish last week at Stuttgart, fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka hit 40 winners to defeat Daria Kasatkina 6-3 6-3. In the third round, Sabalenka will play Jessica Pegula, as the American received a walkover when Victoria Azarenka withdrew because of a low back injury.
Kasatkina was looking for her first win over a Top 10 opponent since defeating No.2 Caroline Wozniacki at 2018 Roland Garros.
Karolina Pliskova was upset by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-0 7-5. The world No.41 Pavlyuchenkova recorded 20 winners to 14 unforced errors and broke her sixth-seeded opponent five times.
The former top-ranked Pliskova has now lost her last two encounters with Pavlyuchenkova, having defeated the Russian the first six times they met.
Pavlyuchenkova’s third-round opponent will be 11th seed Jennifer Brady, who needed just 66 minutes to beat Jelena Ostapenko 6-1 6-2.
Third seed Simona Halep encountered late resistance by Zheng Saisai before prevailing 6-0 6-4.
In the last match on Sunday, 13th seed Elise Mertens got past Elena Rybakina in a tight two-setter, 7-6(4) 7-5.
The Mutua Madrid Open continues on Monday with four third-round matches on the schedule. The main one is the encounter of two latest Roland Garros champions, Iga Swiatek and Ashleigh Barty.
