The new face of women’s tennis continues to conqueror all before her.
Poland’s Iga Świątek beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-2 in the final of the Stuttgart Open.
This cemented a fourth consecutive WTA title, after wins in Qatar, Indian Wells, Miami and now at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
If it seemed like the new world number one was only an expert on hard court surfaces, but apparently her craft knows no bounds!
She has acclimatised to the clay seamlessly, and is riding high on a 23-match unbeaten streak.
But she has surprisingly decided to SKIP the Madrid Masters this week, in favour of some much-needed rest before going on to play the Italian Open.
Seeds tumble in a week of shocks
This week, the tour for the women’s and men’s has moved onto Madrid, for the premier Masters event on both circuits.
The home favourite Paula Badosa, was left stunned after losing 6-3, 6-1 to Simona Halep.
Being the world number two, the American-born Spaniard was the most obvious contender to win this event in Świątek’s absence.
Fourth seed Maria Sakkari survived a tough opening round encounter with Madison Keys, to prevail in three sets.
But the Greek then lost to Daria Kasatkina in the following round.
Japan’s Naomi Osaka had a similar story, as she beat Anastasia Potapova but was then upset by Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo.
The loss doesn’t help the former world number one’s ranking, as she lies 36 in the ladder.
Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, winner of Charleston, was beaten in the round of 16 by an inspired Ons Jabeur, as the Tunisian won 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.
Defeat means the Swiss must now move onto the Italian Open, in her final preparations for the French Open at the end of the month.
Meanwhile, another home favourite in the form of Garbiñe Muguruza, also heavily disappointed after losing to Ukraine’s Anehlina Kalinina in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0, and receiving a bagel final set.
Who’s left?
Young prodigy Coco Gauff has recorded wins against the likes of Anna Schmiedlova and Yulia Putsinseva, and faces Halep for a place in the quarter-finals.
However, Gauff is yet to succeed on clay, the way she has on grass and hard-court.
But Britain’s Emma Raducanu is looking strong after morale boosting wins over Czech Tereza Martincova and Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.
The 18-year-old is finally looking to get her season up and running with a deep run in the Spanish capital this week.
And she faces another Ukrainian later today in the form of Kalinina, who has made steady progress the past few weeks, particularly in Miami and Charleston.
However, on paper, the US Open champion should prove too strong.
Another opening round shock saw American Amanda Anisimova’s stun third seeded Sabalenka.
The world number 33 won 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in an impressive display and plays a resurgent Victoria Azarenka later today.
Meanwhile, Canadian Bianca Andreescu is continuing on her comeback trail.
After beating sixth seed Danielle Collins comprehensively 6-1, 6-1, and the loss of just two games, she will play American Jessica Pegula for a quarter-final place.
With a desolated field and the timely return to form of Raducanu, Azarenka, Andreescu and others, Świątek’s absence has left this tournament wide open and all to play for.
