Top-ranked Iga Swiatek eased into the Madrid Open's round-of-16 by beating Sorana Cirstea 6-1, 6-1 on Saturday. (Streaming | More Tennis News)
Swiatek, who lost last year's final to Aryna Sabalenka, improved her record this season to 26-4. She will next face either Victoria Azarenka or Sara Sorribes Tormo on Monday for a spot in the final eight.
Swiatek is preparing to make a run for a third consecutive title at the French Open next month. She is a three-time champion at Roland Garros (2020, 22, '23).
The Madrid Open is the only European clay tournament at the 500 level or above the Polish player has yet to win.
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On the men's side, Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro upset Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 in the second round.
The seventh-ranked Tsitsipas fell to Monteiro, ranked 118th, after having run up a 10-1 record on clay going into the match. Tsitsipas won Monte Carlos early this month before reaching the final of Barcelona last week.
“I had a very good opponent on the other side of the net,” Tsitsipas said. “He was coming up with great shots and punishing me every single time I played short.”
Later, Rafael Nadal faces Alex de Minaur while top-ranked Jannik Sinner plays Lorenzo Sonego on the Magica Caja clay.
