Iga Swiatek was forced to retire in the third round of the Madrid Open on Saturday due to a viral illness, while reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka extended her winning run to 14 matches.<\/p>\n
A champion in the Spanish capital in 2024, Swiatek<\/a> rebounded from a one-set deficit against American 31st seed Ann Li<\/a> to level the contest but put an end to proceedings while down 0-3 in the decider.<\/a><\/p>\n The Polish six-time Grand Slam champion asked for the doctor after getting broken early in the third set and got her vitals checked.<\/p>\n She tried to break Li back, but when her opponent held for a 3-0 advantage, the fourth seed realised she was unable to continue.<\/p>\n She revealed after the match that she has been fighting a stomach virus for the last two days and was hoping she could still find a way to win despite feeling “terrible.”<\/p>\n “I heard there is something going on between players, that the virus is somewhere on site. I’m sure I’ll be fine in a couple of days, but I had zero energy and zero stability and just felt really bad physically, and yesterday even worse,” said Swiatek.<\/p>\n It is Swiatek’s earliest ever exit in five appearances in Madrid.<\/p>\n “On the court before the tournament, I felt like I’m playing great, so actually it’s sad for me that I can’t play, because I was feeling really good with my game, and I was moving forward in the process, so, this was positive,” she said.<\/p>\n “But for me, the tournament has just started, and I couldn’t even compete today, so it’s disappointing.”<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Sabalenka<\/a> surged into the last 16 with a smooth 6-1, 6-4 victory<\/a> against Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian<\/a>, who told her at the net she was “too good” and that she hopes the world number one would go on and win the tournament.<\/p>\n Sabalenka played a near-flawless opening set, winning 89 per cent of her points on serve.<\/p>\n Cristian put up a bigger fight in the second set, but Sabalenka got the decisive break in the ninth game en route to a convincing win.<\/p>\n The three-time Madrid champion, who next plays ex-world number one Naomi Osaka<\/a> (who later beat Ukrainian qualifier\u00a0Anhelina Kalinina<\/a>), is known for her power game, but she showcased some flair against Cristian, pulling off a running one-handed backhand passing shot in the first set and finishing the contest with a cunning drop shot winner.<\/p>\n “Especially in the first set, that was incredible level from me. I even hit a one-handed backhand, which is a little bit crazy,” said the four-time major winner. “I think that was the shot of my life, that’s for sure.”<\/p>\n Earlier in the day, 15th-seeded Iva Jovic<\/a> squandered a lead and fell 3-6, 6-3, 6-2<\/a> to Canadian 24th seed Leylah Fernandez<\/a>, who will be Li’s opponent in the last 16.<\/p>\n Wins for Andreeva, Zverev & Ruud<\/p>\n Ninth-seeded Russian Mirra Andreeva overcame an inspired Dalma Galfi<\/a> 6-3, 6-2<\/a> in a match that was much closer than the scoreline suggested.<\/p>\n The Hungarian qualifier ranked 117 in the world broke early in both sets but was unable to maintain her advantage as Andreeva<\/a> recovered to improve her clay-court record this season to 9-1 and set up a last-16 showdown with another Hungarian, Anna Bondar<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow the women’s side in Madrid here<\/a>.<\/p>\n In ATP action, defending champion Casper Ruud<\/a> raced into the third round with a 6-0, 6-1<\/a> demolition of home favourite Jaume Munar<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 12th-seeded Norwegian will next take on Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina<\/a>.<\/p>\n Second-seeded Alexander Zverev<\/a> recovered from a “terrible” second set to begin his campaign with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3<\/a> performance against recent Bucharest champion Mariano Navone<\/a>.<\/p>\n “First set was almost perfect, and then I lost focus completely, and then the second set was terrible,” admitted Zverev, who previously clinched the trophy in Madrid in 2018 and 2021.<\/p>\n “But that’s what happens sometimes, first match of a tournament. I definitely have to focus a bit better, but the level was there.”<\/p>\n Zverev will next square off with Terence Atmane<\/a>, who overcame excruciating cramps to triumph in an all-French duel 7-6(3), 7-6(5)<\/a> over 30th seed Ugo Humbert<\/a>.<\/p>\n