There was some rain in Spain, but it wasn’t sufficient to delay the Madrid Open from completion of the men’s first round and the women’s second round. There were even four second round men’s matches for the crowds.
Five seeds fell, including home crowd favourite Pablo Carreno Busta (9), beaten by Borna Coric 6-4 6-2 in the first round.
Jack Sock (12) and Fabio Fognini (16) also lost their opening matches, to Pablo Cuevas and Leonardo Mayer respectively.
The more surprising losses were in the second round - Grigor Dimitrov (3) exited thanks to big serving Canadian Milos Raonic whose unseeded status made him a dangerous floater in the draw.
Elina Svitolina (4) was upset by Carla Suárez Navarro to the delight of the Spanish crowd.
Carla began strongly, breaking for 2-0, but Elina responded brilliantly, winning the next six games and taking the lead 6-2.
Set two saw the Spanish player once more lead 2-0, but this time retain her advantage, until an unfortunate fall allowed Svitolina to break back.
Suárez Navarro played a terrific tie break and levelled the match at 2-6 7-6(3). Her speed around the court and wicked forehand were bringing her dividends, and a chance of success.
The third set decider lasted eight games before a service break occurred. It was Suárez Navarro who won the last two games and the match 6-4, her second straight victory over the fourth seed.
The crowd was elated further when third seed Garbine Muguruza found an escape route when looking completely tied up by unseeded Donna Vekic. The first set from Vekic was excellent, serving at a premium, and denying Muguruza any chance of matching the Croatian.
However, at 2-6 5-4 Muguruza broke serve to win the second set, and from there it was all Spain. Garbine won 2-6 6-4 6-1 over a tiring Donna Vekic, but the fans were treated to a fine match, even with Muguruza below her best.
Other Spanish first round success:
Roberto Bautista Agut (11) defeated Jared Donaldson 6-7(3) 6-4 6-4
Albert Ramos-Vinolas defeated Peter Gojowczyk 5-7 6-2 7-5
Fernando Verdasco defeated Paolo Lorenzi 7-5 6-4
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