Osaka, Halep, Stephens Win Madrid Openers; Muguruza, Svitolina Fall

It was a mixed start for many seeds Sunday on day 2 of the women’s event in Madrid. World No. 1 Naomi Osaka eased past former finalist Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 7-6(6).

“For me, I’m just happy to get through it,” Osaka said. “I feel the most nervous during the first round and to play against Cibulkova was kind of tough for me, especially on clay.”

Osaka was one of four Top 5 seeds to advance. Two-time champ and No. 3 seed Simona Halep handled Margarita Gasparyan 6-0, 6-4.

“It was a good match, even if the first set was fast. The second one was tougher, and I feel happy that I could win this match,” Halep said on-court after the match.

“I did everything I could today and I’m happy with the victory.”

No. 4 Angelique Kerber cruised past Lesia Tsurenko 6-3, 6-2 and No. 5 Karolina Pliskova was a 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3 victor over the young Dayana Yastremska.

The 18-year-old Yastremska held four match points with Pliskova serving for the set 4-5 in the second.

Sloane Stephens was also a winner over Polona Hercog and Danille Collins advanced.

A bunch of seeds also fell. Elina Svitolina return from injury was cut short by Pauline Parmentier 6-4, 7-6(6).

Madison Keys’ tough 2019 continued as she was bounced by Sorana Cirstea 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Julia Goerges and Wang Qiang also lost as did Caroline Wozniacki who retired down just 3-0 to Alize Cornet due to a lower left leg injury.

Petra Martic also ousted former French champion Garbine Muguruza .

On tap Monday in second round play, Stephens will meet Victoria Azarenka, Kiki Bertens collides with Jelena Ostapneko and Svetlana Kuznetsova battles Belinda Bencic.

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