World No. 2 Alexander Zverev was knocked out of the Madrid Open in the round of 16 on Tuesday, falling 7-5, 6-3 to Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo, while defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek overcame a stern test to book her place in the quarter-finals.
Cerundolo, ranked No. 21, repeated his 2024 upset of the two-time Madrid champion, breaking Zverev early in the second set after edging a tight opener. Zverev, visibly frustrated, smashed his racket after falling behind 4-1, while Cerundolo kept his composure to serve out the match.
“I didn’t play terribly, he just played better,” Zverev admitted after the match. Cerundolo will now face rising Czech star Jakub Mensik, who breezed past Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-2.
Swiatek, meanwhile, needed two hours and 34 minutes to overcome 13th seed Diana Shnaider 6-0, 6-7(3), 6-4 in a rollercoaster encounter. The Polish world No. 1 saved 11 of 13 break points and now faces Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the quarter-finals.
Speaking about Monday’s rare power outage at the Caja Mágica, Swiatek said, “Honestly, I liked it. The whole world felt more relaxed for a few hours. I just chilled and rested.”
In other women’s action, Aryna Sabalenka cruised into the quarter-finals with a commanding 6-2, 6-4 win over American Peyton Stearns. The world No. 1 and two-time Madrid champion will next face either Marta Kostyuk or Anastasia Potapova as she eyes a third title in the Spanish capital.
Elsewhere in the men’s draw, Grigor Dimitrov completed his rain-delayed third-round match against Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, converting his third match point for a 6-4, 7-6(3) win—27 hours after being interrupted mid-match due to Monday’s blackout. The 15th seed will next meet lucky loser Gabriel Diallo.
Britain’s Jack Draper advanced to the last 16 after former finalist Matteo Berrettini retired due to an abdominal injury. Draper now faces American Tommy Paul.
Sixth seed Alex de Minaur defeated Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 7-6(3) to tie Carlos Alcaraz for the most ATP Tour wins in 2025 (24). He will next face Lorenzo Musetti.
No. 16 seed Frances Tiafoe also moved into the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Alexandre Muller. He will face Matteo Arnaldi, who famously eliminated Novak Djokovic in Madrid.
