Day 8 of the Mutua Madrid Open delivered a history-making performance, a three-set thriller, and a first career semi-final. Here's everything that happened on a dramatic Tuesday at the Caja Mágica.
Jannik Sinner continues to rewrite the record books. The world number one dispatched Cameron Norrie 6-2, 7-5 in 87 minutes to reach the quarter-finals, recording his 20th consecutive Masters 1000 victory in the process. That number places him alongside Novak Djokovic, the only other player to start a season with such a streak (2011 and 2015). The Italian did not face a single break point in the first set before wobbling briefly at 3-2 in the second. Norrie took advantage to level at 5-5, but Sinner immediately reclaimed control to close it out. He faces the winner of Jodar-Kopriva in the last eight.
The match of the day unfolded on Arantxa Sánchez court. Defending champion Casper Ruud saved two match points to overcome Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7(4), 7-6(2), 7-6(3) in 2 hours and 57 minutes of breathtaking tennis. The Greek led in all three tiebreaks and had the match on his racket twice in the decider. The Norwegian found the resources to turn things around each time, finishing with a backhand volley on the second match point saved that will rank among the shots of the tournament.
confirmed his rising form on clay with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory over . The Czech was rock-solid on serve and aggressive on return, reaching the Madrid quarter-finals for the first time.
On the WTA side, defeated Leylah Fernandez 7-6(1), 6-3 in the quarter-finals. The 18-year-old Russian dominated the first-set tiebreak, then shifted gears in the second to secure her first Madrid semi-final. She will face the winner of versus Hailey Baptiste, scheduled in the night session.
The evening also featured against Flavio Cobolli in the fourth round, with the Russian looking to build on his first clay win since Monte-Carlo.
