Monday features the conclusion of third round ATP singles action, as well as all eight round of 16 WTA singles matches.
On Saturday, Rafael Nadal electrified the Madrid crowd with the best tennis we’ve seen from him in well over a year, as he defeated Alex de Minaur in straight sets. Now he tries to win three consecutive matches for the first time since the 2022 US Open, against Argentina’s Pedro Cachin.
Other ATP action on Monday includes top-seeded Jannik Sinner, third-seeded Daniil Medvedev, and recent Barcelona champion Casper Ruud.
Plus, all eight fourth round WTA singles matches will be staged, and they feature eight of the top 10 seeds. Two-time Madrid champ Aryna Sabalenka takes on the WTA’s hottest player Danielle Collins, who is currently on a 15-match win streak. In addition, top-seeded Iga Swiatek, third-seeded Coco Gauff, and recent Stuttgart champ Elena Rybakina will all play on Monday.
Each day, this preview will analyze the two most intriguing matchups, while highlighting other notable matches on the schedule. Monday’s play gets underway at 11:00am local time.
Rafael Nadal (PR) vs. Pedro Cachin – Not Before 4:00pm on Manolo Santana Stadium
Was Nadal’s improved level on Saturday a one-off, or can he sustain it on Monday? This will be just his eighth match of the past 15 months, but he brought back glimpses of the Rafa of yesteryear against Alex de Minaur in the last round, avenging a loss to the same player from the week prior. In his 17 appearances in Madrid, Nadal has only twice failed to reach the fourth round.
Cachin was ranked inside the top 50 last summer, after winning a clay court title in Gstaad, his first-ever ATP crown. But between last October and this month, the 29-year-old went on a 15-match losing streak at all levels. His victories this past week over Sebastian Ofner and Frances Tiafoe are his first at tour level in nearly nine months.
In their first career meeting, Pedro will certainly feel a bit overwhelmed facing Rafa, especially in front of a raucous crowd in Madrid. I like Nadal’s chances of extending his winning streak on Monday.
Danielle Collins (13) vs. Aryna Sabalenka (2) – Last on Manolo Santana Stadium
Collins has not lost a match since she faced World No.1 Iga Swiatek in Indian Wells. Danielle won titles in both Miami and Charleston, which included nine victories over top 30 opposition. And this past week in Madrid, she’s survived two dramatic three-setters.
Sabalenka is 17-5 on the year, and is 14-3 lifetime in Madrid, though she’s also overcome two three-setters to this stage. Aryna has understandably not played her best since the shocking death of her ex-boyfriend last month. After her first 11 victories of 2024 came in straight sets, her last five matches have now all gone the distance.
Their history has been rather one-sided, as Sabalenka is 4-0 against Collins. That includes three wins at the US Open, and one in Wuhan back in 2019. In their first encounter on clay, I favor Aryna, especially at this event where she’s enjoyed so much success. Plus, Danielle must be rather drained after playing so much tennis across the past six weeks.
Other Notable Matches on Monday:
Jelena Ostapenko (9) vs. Ons Jabeur (8) – This should be a fascinating encounter between two of the sport’s most streaky and unpredictable talents. They have split four previous meetings at all levels, though Ostapenko has been the much better performer this season, with a record of 19-7, compared to just 5-7 for Jabeur.
Beatriz Haddad Maia (11) vs. Maria Sakkari (5) – Sakkari has already earned two solid straight-set victories over Donna Vekic and Sloane Stephens, while Haddad Maia defeated both Sara Errani and Emma Navarro in straights. Beatriz is 3-0 against Maria at all levels.
Iga Swiatek (1) vs. Sara Sorribes Tormo – As per usual, Swiatek has dropped only seven games through four sets thus far. But Sorribes Tormo is also yet to drop a set, and has already upset both Elina Svitolina and Victoria Azarenka. Iga has beaten Sara three times within the past year, all in straight sets.
Daniil Medvedev (3) vs. Sebastian Korda (25) – Their head-to-head stands at 2-a-piece, though Medvedev defeated Korda most recently, which took place just a month ago in Indian Wells. This is their first meeting on clay.
Coco Gauff (3) vs. Madison Keys (18) – Gauff has lost only five games through four sets, while Keys defeated the 15th seed, Liudmila Samsonova, in the last round. Their head-to-head also stands at 2-2, though they also have never played on this surface.
Sara Bejlek (Q) vs. Elena Rybakina (4) – Rybakina is now 28-4 on the season, and is on a six-match win streak. Bejlek is an 18-year-old qualifier from the Czech Republic who won 42 matches last year at all levels.
Cameron Norrie (29) vs. Casper Ruud (5) – Ruud leads the ATP with 30 match wins in 2024, and is 12-2 on clay. Norrie is a modest 13-8 this year, and is 1-3 lifetime against Casper, but Cam’s one win came just a few months ago at the Australian Open.
Jannik Sinner (1) vs. Pavel Kotov – Sinner is now 26-2 this year, and thumped his fellow countryman Lorenzo Sonego in the second round by a score of 6-0, 6-3. Kotov upset the 32nd seed Jordan Thompson on Saturday.
Monday’s full Order of Play is here.
