Zverev, Sabalenka win first matches at Madrid

MADRID — Prime seeds Alexander Zverev and Aryna Sabalenka scored snug victories of their opening matches on the Madrid Open on Friday.

Zverev cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 win over residence favourite Roberto Bautista Agut, whereas Sabalenka triumphed 6-3, 6-4 in opposition to qualifier Anna Blinkova.

Zverev, the Madrid champion in 2018 and 2021, wanted solely 69 minutes to increase his profitable streak to 6 matches. The German participant moved to No. 2 on the earth after capturing the Munich title final week.

“An excellent match, I knew I needed to focus in opposition to Roberto,” mentioned Zverev, who improved to 24-5 in Madrid. “I knew that it was going to be a tricky problem. That is my favourite heart courtroom on the earth, I solely misplaced twice right here in my total life. I hope that stays the best way all through the subsequent 10 days and that I can proceed enjoying good tennis.”

Within the third spherical, Zverev faces Nuno Borges or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Sabalenka, winner in Madrid in 2021 and 2023 and final yr’s runner-up to Iga Swiatek, transformed three of her seven break alternatives to defeat the 76th-ranked Blinkova.

The highest-ranked Sabalenka will face No. 28 seed Elise Mertens within the third spherical.

Anastasia Potapova upset eighth-seeded Qinwen Zheng, whereas Fifteenth-seed Amanda Anisimova misplaced 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 to fellow American Peyton Stearns. Sixth-seeded Jasmine Paolini eased previous Katie Boulter 6-1, 6-2.

Third-seeded Jessica Pegula reached the third spherical by defeating Eva Lys 6-2, 6-2. Pegula reached the Madrid ultimate in 2022, shedding to Ons Jabeur.

Pegula, who has a tour-leading 27 wins, will subsequent face Moyuka Uchijima, who defeated Jabeur in three units.

In different motion on the lads’s aspect, fourth-ranked Taylor Fritz of the U.S. — who returned from an belly harm that saved him sidelined since Miami — routed Christopher O’Connell of Britain 6-1, 6-4, and Casper Ruud beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 6-4.

“It feels nice to return again and play a very stable match,” Fritz mentioned. “The primary ball I hit because the match I misplaced in Miami was the day earlier than I flew right here, so I had three weeks of nothing, then 5 days of tennis. I am tremendous completely satisfied I can come out and produce that degree on the little little bit of prep I had.”

Fellow American Ben Shelton rallied previous Mariano Navone 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3. The Eighty fifth-ranked Navone served for the match at 5-4 within the third set.

Juan Manuel Cerundolo beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight units, whereas Daniil Medvedev superior after Laslo Djere withdrew due to a shoulder harm.

Gael Monfils, who on Wednesday grew to become the oldest winner within the match’s historical past, withdrew from his assembly with defending champion Andrey Rublev due to an sickness.

Holger, who beat Carlos Alcaraz within the Barcelona ultimate final weekend, retired due to a thigh harm with Flavio Cobolli main 6-2 within the first set.