Lob and Smash
Fansided

Men’s and Women’s Upsets Already Afoot at 2019 Madrid Open

By Harry Floyd

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - APRIL 18: Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria shows his frustration against Rafael Nadal of Spain in their third round match during day five of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on April 18, 2019 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - APRIL 18: Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria shows his frustration against Rafael Nadal of Spain in their third round match during day five of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on April 18, 2019 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Surprise, surprise, we are already seeing some upsets in both men’s and women’s singles action early on at the 2019 Madrid Open.

Grigor Dimitrov is heading home early from the 2019 Madrid Open. The former ATP Finals champion splashes out after a tough opener against 21-year-old American Taylor Fritz. The young American OUSTS Dimitrov in straight sets, winning 7-6 (8) 7-6 (4). This has to be one of the biggest early round upsets in either men’s or women’s tennis so far.

Fritz sets up a massive matchup with top seed and heavy favorite Novak Djokovic in the round of 32. Djokovic is a two-time champion at the Madrid Open, winning in both 2011 and 2016.

Hot. Can Federer win the French Open?. light

Dimitrov is not alone in the world of upsets. Also going home early is Spanish tennis star Pablo Carreño Busta. He, like Dimitrov, falls to a young up and coming American tennis player in Reilly Opelka. The 21-year-old Opelka takes their match in straight sets and will go up against the fifth seeded Dominic Thiem next.

On the women’s singles side of the action, we witness veteran tennis star Carla Suárez Navarro going home after a straight set loss to Viktória Kužmová. This comes just one match after defeating Morocco Open champion Maria Sakkari with ease.

Not really an upset, but defending champion Petra Kvitova advances past French tennis star Kristina Mladenovic. Kvitova ought to be a heavy favorite moving forward. While Mladenovic was a qualifier, she is also an extremely accomplished player and it’s a big win for the defending champ. Two other notable wins on the women’s side come to American star Sloane Stephens who ousts Victoria Azarenka and Kiki Bertens who defeats Jeļena Ostapenko.

Next. 5 French Open Favorites. dark

Stay tuned to see how the rest of the action at the 2019 Madrid Open unfolds. We have already discussed some of the favorites and made some predictions here. The tournament is finally underway though and it’s just getting started. As the top seeds take to the courts in the coming days, we will continue to track their progress.

Home/ATP