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.
đ¨ Upset alert đ¨
â #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) May 2, 2021
đ¨đż @karomuchova7 beats 2nd seed Osaka 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/9THBv5z2t0
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 womenâs draw in Madrid has opened up considerably.
đ§đž Victoria Azarenka is withdrawing from singles and doubles main draw due to low back injury.
â #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) May 2, 2021
Get well soon, @vika7! đ§Ąđ pic.twitter.com/dRujZHZmWU
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 âĄď¸
â #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) May 2, 2021
đˇđ´ @Simona_Halep d. đ¨đł Zheng 6-0, 6-4#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/LhpgY57c25