MADRID – Power regained at the Kahamajika Tennis Complex on Tuesday, and the Madrid Open resumed on a packed schedule, including the second Iga Swiatek, who will advance to the quarterfinals after a “more relaxed” day due to a blackout.
On the men’s side, top seed Alexander Zverev was upset by Argentina’s No. 21 Francisco Cerundo.
Following a major blackout that led to 22 games being postponed on Monday, Swiatek returned to Centre Court and was on track to defend her title in the Spanish capital, beating Diana Shnaider 6-0, 6-7 (3), 6-4.
“I liked yesterday. I think the whole world was more relaxed. Obviously, they were people who didn’t lose because of this,” she said. “I enjoyed my days off and I just tried to recover because I had to make sure I had a taste of these free days.”
Swiatek said he’ll remove the food from the tournament site and relax in the hotel and get the power back.
“I just chilled it out and used the time to not think about what I should have,” she said. “There was no signal so basically no one used their phone. That was good, I liked it.”
Most parts of Madrid regained power overnight, but Kaja Magica still had no electricity early on Tuesday, and the opening of fan gates was delayed.
However, the strength quickly returned, but the organizers didn’t have to reschedule the day’s games, but the number of games during the day could delay night sessions.
Swiatek cruised in the first set, but had to save 11 of his 13 breakpoints to seal a fierce battle victory against 13-seeded Schneider.
Swiatek has not lost in seven tournaments this season before the quarterfinals, but hasn’t passed the semifinals since last year’s Roland Garros. She will then face the Madison Keys, who defeated Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3.
Despite winning match points in the Australian Open semifinals that the Keys acquired, Swiatek will be his first meeting with the Keys as she was defeated.
“I played here last year and I think it was a night session or something,” Swiatek said. “I don’t know, I think it was cold or a bit different, so I’ll certainly watch that match.”
Cerundolo defeated second-placed Zverev 7-5, 6-3 to continue the burgeoning rankings.
Cerundo broke once in each set, saving the only opportunity to rest recognized at Centre Court.
“It was a very tough match against No. 2 in the world,” Cerundo said.
Zverev was out of the title in Munich.
On the men’s side, 31st place Matteo Berettini retreated with obvious abdominal injuries after losing his first set of 7-6 (2) to 6th place Jack Draper.
“I think he said his abs were pulling,” Draper said. “I’ve been injured in the past. I think he might have done it in his last match, so I praised him for coming here and putting on a good first set. I saw his energy was a little low.”
Sixth seed Alex de Minaur tied up Carlos Alcaraz in his 24th Tour-leading victory this season, passing Dennis Shapovalov 6-3, 7-6 (3).
Next, De Minaur, who finished 7th, will face Lorenzo Musetti, who defeated 2019 runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 7-6 (3).
Americans Tommy Paul and Francis Tiafoe both won the match. 11th seed Paul defeated Karen Khachanov 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, while 16th seed Tierfoe defeated Alexandre Muller 6-3, 6-3.
Paul was among those who had to play doubles on the same day as a singles match. The other was 19-year-old Jakub Mensik, who had to play a doubles match in the same court a little later after beating Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-2.
On Tuesday’s schedule, second-placed Alexander Zverev faced Francisco Selundro. On the women’s side, the remaining six fourth matches were scheduled. This includes top-ranked Alina Sabalenka facing Payton Starnes.
“No one said anything yet,” Juan Duato said. “They said we couldn’t get in and asked us to contact customer support. Apparently they’ll email us.”
Organizers said later Tuesday that anyone who purchased a ticket on Monday will receive a full refund for their purchase. The process will run automatically over the next few days.
Already internal fans were asked to leave Caja Magica a few hours after the outage occurred shortly after Monday’s local time (1030 GMT). At the time, two ATP singles matches and one doubles match were underway.
There was a longer than usual wait before players were returned to the hotel on Monday.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.