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
🚨 Upset alert 🚨🇨🇿 @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 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
🇧🇾 Victoria Azarenka is withdrawing from singles and doubles main draw due to low back injury.Get well soon, @vika7! 🧡😘 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 ⚡️🇷🇴 @Simona_Halep d. 🇨🇳 Zheng 6-0, 6-4#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/LhpgY57c25— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) May 2, 2021
Simona storms through ⚡️🇷🇴 @Simona_Halep d. 🇨🇳 Zheng 6-0, 6-4#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/LhpgY57c25