Madrid Second Round Highlights: Osaka falls, Azarenka withdraws and Halep Storms Ahead

Naomi Osaka found herself in unfamiliar territory this weekend when she was knocked out of the Mutua Madrid Open early in the second round.

Her opponent Karolina Muchova had a commanding first set, beating Osaka 6-4 and going up a break early in the second.

Never one to give up, Osaka clawed her way back into the match, winning five straight games to claim the second set 6-3.

After losing momentum to Osaka, Muchova regained her confidence in the deciding set. Moving seamlessly on the clay surface, Muchova took the third set 6-1.

🚨 Upset alert 🚨

🇨🇿 @karomuchova7 beats 2nd seed Osaka 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/9THBv5z2t0

— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) May 2, 2021

On the same day, Victoria Azarenka announced that she will pull out of Madrid to tend to a nagging lower back injury.

With Naomi Osaka and Azarenka out early, the women’s draw in Madrid has opened up considerably.

🇧🇾 Victoria Azarenka is withdrawing from singles and doubles main draw due to low back injury.

Get well soon, @vika7! 🧡😘 pic.twitter.com/dRujZHZmWU

— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) May 2, 2021

While other stars falter, former Madrid Champion Simona Halep is emerging as an early favorite after her commanding 6-0, 6-4 win over Saisai Zheng.

She will play the winner of the Mertens, Rybakina match in the round of sixteen.

Simona storms through ⚡️

🇷🇴 @Simona_Halep d. 🇨🇳 Zheng 6-0, 6-4#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/LhpgY57c25

— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) May 2, 2021