Holder Swiatek survives Shnaider test to reach quarters in Madrid

Iga Swiatek kept her title defence on track at the Madrid Open on Tuesday as she held off Russian Diana Shnaider in three sets to reach the quarter-finals.

The Pole raced through the first set in 22 minutes but the left-handed Snaider hit back well to take the second set on the tiebrrak, only for one break in the third to give Swiatek a 6-0, 6-7 (3), 6-4 victory.

Swiatek, ranked No 2, will play the winner of the match between American Madison Keys, the No 5 seed, and Croat Donna Vekic, the No 19 seed, next.

“Today for sure was a tricky day and I am happy to be through. Diana played well and I’m happy I found a way,” Swiatek said on court.

“For sure, when it’s getting hotter you need to control the ball a little more. But I’m through to the quarters so you could say I adjusted and I’m happy I have another chance to play here.”

Swiatek rips through first set

On a blustery day in Madrid, with the power restored after Tuesday’s country-wide blackout, the first set lasted just 22 minutes as Swiatek raced to yet another bagel.

Shnaider hit back well, though, digging in and drawing errors from Swiatek, whose serve was also erratic, making her especially vulnerable on second serve, where she won just 32 percent of the points.

An early break in the second set helped settle her nerves before Swiatek broke back for 2-2. The pair swapped serves again midway through the set but in the tiebreak, Shnaider raced ahead 3-0 and then 5-1 before closing it out 7-3.

One break enough in the decider

Both players saved break points early in the third set but it was Swiatek who grabbed the vital break in the fifth game, on her fourth break point chance, and she held on to move into another quarter-final.

The Pole won against Filipino wildcard Alexandra Eala (4-6, 6-4, 6-2) and No 31 seed Linda Noskova (6-4, 6-2) ahead of her victory.

Earlier in the tournament, Shnaider, ranked No 13, beat American Katie Volynets (6-1, 6-2) and Latvian Anastasija Sevastova (6-0, 6-0).

Madrid WTA 1000, other last 16 results (Caja Mágica, clay, EUR 7.854.000, most recent results first):

• Marta Kostyuk vs. Anastasia Potapova
• Aryna Sabalenka vs. Peyton Stearns
• Elina Svitolina vs. Maria Sakkari
• Moyuka Uchijima vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova
• Madison Keys vs. Donna Vekic: tuesday
• Coco Gauff (4) beat Belinda Bencic: 6-4, 6-2
• Mirra Andreeva (7) beat Yuliia Starodubtseva (Q): 6-1, 6-4