In a shocking turn of events at the Madrid Open, world number seven Stefanos Tsitsipas suffered a surprising second-round defeat at the hands of world number 118 Thiago Monteiro. The Brazilian qualifier managed to outplay Tsitsipas, who had been in excellent form on clay leading up to the tournament.
Monteiro, who had already won three matches this week, including qualifying rounds, showcased his skills on the court by landing an impressive 89 per cent of his first serves. Despite Tsitsipas saving three match points, he ultimately succumbed to Monteiro in a 6-4, 6-4 loss.
Speaking about his milestone victory, Monteiro expressed, “For sure this is one of the biggest wins of my career.” The 29-year-old is now through to the third round at a Masters 1000 event for the first time, proving his capabilities on the big stage.
Meanwhile, on the women’s side, last year’s finalist Iga Swiatek had a much smoother journey as she cruised past Sorana Cirstea with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory. Swiatek, the top seed, showcased her prowess on the court despite the wet conditions, setting up a fourth-round clash with either Sara Sorribes Tormo or Victoria Azarenka.
With Swiatek aiming for her third WTA 1000 crown of the season, the Polish player remains confident and comfortable in her game, adapting well to the varying weather conditions in Madrid. The tournament continues to deliver surprises and thrilling matches as the players battle it out for the prestigious title.