Iga Swiatek took home a comfortable win in her opener at the Mutua Madrid Open on Friday. The world’s top-ranked player took 78 minutes to clinch a 6-3, 6-2 win against Julia Grabher.
Grabher put in 82% of her first serves but could only win 59% of her first-serve points. Swiatek’s first-serve rate was lower at 67% but she won 73% of her first-serve points. The Pole also won 72% points on return on the Austrian’s second serve. Swiatek lost her serve once in the match but converted three of five break points to take her place in the third round.
Swiatek will now play Bernarda Pera next.
Mutua Madrid Open: Jessica Pegula, Alycia Parks keep American hopes high
Jessica Pegula’s tournament in Madrid also began on a winning note. The third seed won 7-6(5), 6-3 against Polish qualifier Magdalena Frech after an hour and 41 minutes of play.
Pegula won 71% of her first-serve points to Frech’s 61%. Both players won 51% of their second-serve points. The American converted three break points on Frech’s serve while conceding two break points of her own. For the match, Pegula finished with almost four times as many winners as her opponent, 42 to the latter’s 11. The first set saw Pegula struggle towards the end. She lost her serve while she tried to serve it out in the 10th game and in the tie-break, Frech saved three set points before Pegula could convert on her fourth. The second set came by easier for Pegula, who’s the defending finalist this week.
In the next round, Pegula will take on 29th seed Marie Bouzkova.
Lastly, Alycia Parks toppled 15th seed and former world no. 1 Victoria Azarenka in their round-of-64 match at the Mutua Madrid Open. Parks won 6-2, 7-6(5) after an hour and 47 minutes. This is Parks’ maiden appearance in the WTA 1000 here. In fact, this is the first time since the Lyon Open in February this year that Parks’ won two matches in a row.
Photo Credit: Mutua Madrid Open Twitter
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