Madrid (Spain) – Leader of the world rankings, Iga Swiatek already has a defined opponent for the WTA 1000 in Madrid. Finalist in the competition last year, she faces Chinese Xiyu Wang, a 23-year-old left-hander and 52nd in the rankings, who defeated Romanian Ana Bogdan 6/7 (5-7), 7/6 (7-4) and 6/ 2 in a long match lasting 3h21. The confrontation between the Polish and the Chinese is unprecedented on the professional circuit.
Swiatek arrives in Madrid celebrating his 100th week as world number 1, but suffered defeat in the Stuttgart semi-final, in his first tournament of the clay season. In turn, Wang managed to save a match point in this Tuesday’s match, when he lost the second set by 5/4, before winning the tiebreak and dominating the third.
Whoever wins the match between Swiatek and Wang can face the 18-year-old Filipina Alexandra Eala or the Romanian Sorana Cirstea. Invited to the event and currently 170th in the rankings, Eala turned the tables against Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko by 2/6, 6/4 and 6/4. US Open youth champion in 2022, the Filipina trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy and is experiencing the best moment of her professional career.
Opponents defined for Jabeur and Gauff
North American Sofia Kenin, former top 5 and currently 46th in the ranking, was surpassed in the debut round. She fell before the Slovakian Anna Schmiedlova, 68th place, by 6/3 and 6/4. Each player made 16 winners in the match, but Kenin made 24 errors against 13. Schmiedlova faces Tunisian Ons Jabeur, number 9 in the world and champion in 2022.
Another top 10 opponent with a defined opponent is Coco Gauff. Third seed in Madrid, the North American debuts against Dutch left-hander Arantxa Rus, 47th in the rankings, who beat 17-year-old Czech Brenda Fruhvirtova 7/5 and 6/3. The confrontation between them is unprecedented on the circuit. Former ranking leader Victoria Azarenka faces the experienced German Tatjana Maria, who defeated the American Peyton Stearns 6/7 (4-7), 6/2 and 7/6 (7-5).
Also this Tuesday, Romanian Irina Begu beat Czech Linda Fruhvirtova 6/4 and 7/6 (7-0), guaranteeing a duel with North American Madison Keys. Russian Anastasia Potapova also advanced, beating compatriot Diana Shnaider 7/5 and 6/4. Her next rival is Canadian Leylah Fernandez. Argentina already Nadia Podoroska, who joined as an alternate after Marie Bouzkova withdrew, she beat the Czech Katerina Siniakova and faces the American Emma Navarro.
