Svitolina, Stephens Fall, Bouchard Wins, Fernandez Upset By Andreeva; Gauff, Sabalenka Thurs.
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The first round concluded at the Madrid Masters and some popular former top players had a mixed day.
Former Top 5 Elina Svitolina returns to Madrid but was promptly shown the exits by Aliaksandra Sasnovich who scored a 6-4, 7-5 victory.
The 28-year-old Svitolina, now a mother, was playing in her first high-level event since Miami last year.
Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens also fell going down to Jaqueline Cristian 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
Canadians also were featured. Former Wimbledon Eugenie Bouchard returned to the spotlight on a tennis after a very long abscense with a good win over Dayana Yastremska 6-7(6-8), 6-2, 6-2.
One-time US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez wasn’t as fortunate losing to Russian teen Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-4. The 15-year-old Andreeva made the Australian Open junior final this year.
In other action, Mayar Sherif got a retirement from Camila Giorgi at the end of the second. Arantxa Rus eliminated Amanda Anisimova 7-5, 6-2. Alycia Parks defeated Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-2, 6-7(5-7), 6-2. Anna Blinkova ousted Nuria Parrizas Diaz 3-6, 0-6. Poland’s Magdalena Frech knocked out Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-2, 6-3 and Alize Cornet had to fight off Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-7(6-8), 6-4, 6-3.
Also winning were Marketa Vondrousova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Caty McNally and Camila Osorio.
The Thursday ticket boasts second round play with No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka drawing Sorana Cirstea. Cirstea just beat the Belarussian in the 2023 Miami quarterfinals.
No. 5 Caroline Garcia squares off against Yulia Putintseva, No. 6 Coco Gauff will challenge Irene Burillo Escorihuela, No. 9 Maria Sakkari draws Arantxa Rus and No. 10 Petra Kvitova will meet Jule Niemeier.
Jelena Ostapenko Elise Mertens and Spanish favorite Paula Badosa are also in action.
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