Madrid, May 6
Record five-time Madrid Open winner Rafael Nadal pulled out of a media conference today on the eve of his opening match at the tournament due to a stomach bug. Eleven-time Roland Garros champion Nadal had also been suffering from the bug on Sunday, a week on from losing in the semifinal of the Barcelona Open.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner is racing to make up for lost time after failing to win a clay title so far this spring. The second seed is due to open play in the second round against Canadian teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Osaka comfortably through
Naomi Osaka eased concerns about her form and fitness by coming through a tricky first round against Dominika Cibulkova at the Madrid Open, declaring she’s “more comfortable” on clay courts than in the past. Osaka has struggled since splitting with her coach Sascha Bajin in February while an abdominal injury forced her to withdraw in Stuttgart eight days ago, creating doubts about her challenge at the French Open later this month.
But there was little sign of physical problems during a testing 6-2 7-6(6) victory over Cibulkova and afterwards, Osaka said: “I feel good. I don’t have much pain in my abs so that’s always a good sign.”
Meanwhile, French Open champion and two-time Madrid winner Simona Halep brushed past Russian qualifier Margarita Gasparyan 6-0 6-4.
Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki’s Madrid Open lasted just minutes as she retired with a back injury at 0-3 down to France’s Alize Cornet. Wozniacki, the 2018 Australian Open champion, has been battling rheumatoid arthritis in recent months.
Other results
Women: Karolina Pliskova bt Dayana Yastremska 5-7 7-6 (7/5) 6-3; Pauline Parmentier bt Elina Svitolina 6-4 7-6 (8/6); Sorana Cirstea bt Madison Keys 3-6 6-4 6-1; Sloane Stephens bt Polona Hercog 6-2 7-6 (7/4).
Men: Jan-Lennard Struff bt Nick Kyrgios 7-6 (7/4) 6-4; Felix Auger-Aliassime bt Denis Shapovalov 6-2 7-6 (9/7) — AFP
from The Tribune http://bit.ly/2HaW0YX
via Today’s News Headlines
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