Madrid (Spain) – Coming off a good recovery streak in the season, with a final in Indian Wells, quarterfinals in Miami and a semi in Charleston, Greek Maria Sakkari started her campaign at the WTA 1000 in Madrid well. Without any major difficulties, the current number 6 in the world defeated the Croatian Donna Vekic ranked 38th in the rankings, by the score of 6/3 and 6/2 in 1h23 of the match.
Sakkari is now waiting for the winner of the duel between the Belgian Elise Mertens, seeded 28th, and the North American Sloane Stephens, who remains on a high after the title on clay in Rouen last week and the victory in her debut against Martina Trevisan, in a game lasting more than three hours.
If she wins her next match, the 28-year-old Greek could cross Beatriz Haddad Maia’s path in the round of 16. In the third round, Bia will face off against fellow American Emma Navarro, 19th pre-registered for the competition.
Azarenka wins and enters Swiatek’s route
Still at the top of the bracket, Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, runner-up in the tournament in 2011 and 2012, was another one to debut with a good victory. Facing the German Tatjana Maria, Vika needed just 1h21 to score splits of 6/3 and 6/1. She will now face the Spanish Sara Sorribes, who surprised the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, 16th seed, by 6/3 and 7/5.
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Whoever advances from this duel could face, in the round of 16, world number 1, Iga Swiatek, who will make her debut in the tournament this Thursday against China’s Xiyu Wang. If favoritism is confirmed, the Pole will face the Romanian Sorana Cirstea, who eliminated the Filipina Alexandra Eala by 6/3, 6/7 (6-8) and 6/4.
Ostapenko wins in 66 minutes
Further down in the same quadrant, Latvian Jelena Ostapenko gave hostess Jessica Bouzas no chance, responsible for eliminating compatriot Paula Badosa in the first round, and secured her place in the third phase by scoring 6/3 and 6/1 in quick 1h06 game. The 2017 Roland Garros champion now awaits the winner of the duel between Argentine Maria Carlé and Russian Veronika Kudermetova.
