Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu succeed in their entry, all the French eliminated … What to remember from the second day in Madrid

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As Roland-Garros is fast approaching (from May 22 to June 5), it’s time to rehearse the ranges on clay for the best players in the world. In Madrid, there are many of them – apart from number 1 Iga Swiatek – preparing for the Parisian Grand Slam on the ocher surface.

If, on Thursday, several seeds have already fallen in the first round, such as Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Pliskova, they had better fortune on Friday, April 29. Only Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova fell. Maria Sakkari (#4) battled for three sets (6-7, 6-3, 6-4) but qualified, it was easier for Garbine Muguruza (#7) and Danielle Collins (# 6).

Naomi Osaka expeditious against Potapova

Back after her lost final in Miami against Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, who said she was inspired by Rafael Nadal’s success on clay in recent weeks, resumed her march forward in the Spanish capital. Opposed to the Russian Anastasia Potapova (78th), the former number 1 in the WTA ranking – down to 36th place – made short work of her opponent (6-3, 6-1) to join the second round of the tournament, where she will find Sara Sorribes Tormo.

A year after his withdrawal from Roland-Garros and having revealed that he knew “waves of anxiety and depression”, the 24-year-old Japanese player intends to continue her return to the forefront of the tennis scene all the way to Paris. And, by the way, why not win the third WTA 1000 tournament of his career in Madrid.

Maria Sakkari knocks out Madison Keys in three sets

The Greek Maria Sakkari came out of a trap match on Friday for her entry into the running in Madrid. Opposed to the American Madison Keys, the seeded n°4 had a little scare by losing the first set in the decisive game before tightening the game and finally winning in three sets (6-7, 6-3, 6-4). The semi-finalist of the last edition of Roland-Garros will face the Russian Daria Kasatkina on Sunday.

Leylah Fernandez and Emma Raducanu aren’t shaking, neither is Garbine Muguruza

US Open finalists Leylah Fernandez (#17) and Emma Raducanu (#9) also made it through to the second round, but not without difficulty. The Canadian needed three sets to get past Germany’s Andrea Petkovic (6-1, 1-6, 6-4), while the Brit had to struggle against Tereza Martincova (7-6, 6-0 ). She trailed 5-2 and saved two set points in the first set.

For her part, at home, Garbine Muguruza started her tournament well by winning ahead of Australian Ajla Tomljanovic (7-5, 6-2). The No. 7 seed will challenge Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina, who fell to Sloane Stephens in the first round.

It’s already over for Océane Dodin

Second and last Tricolor engaged in the Spanish capital after the elimination of Alizé Cornet, Thursday, against the Russian Varvara Gracheva (6-1, 5-7, 7-5), Océane Dodin could not face anything against Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina (6-2, 7-5), seeded number 16. For 1h20, the Lille player did not manage to find the solution on her serve, capping at 50% of first serves.


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