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Swiatek Advances to Last 16 at Madrid Open
World number two Iga Swiatek continued her impressive run at the Madrid Open, securing her eighth consecutive victory by defeating Linda Noskova. With a convincing score of 6-4, 6-2, the defending champion is determined to claim her first title of the year after finishing as a finalist in 2023.
This clash was particularly significant for Swiatek, as she faced Noskova, who previously triumphed over her at the 2024 Australian Open. The 23-year-old from Poland showcased resilience in the preceding round, where she had to battle hard against Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala. However, in this latest match, Swiatek appeared more at ease, completing the contest in just one hour and 17 minutes.
Looking ahead, her next opponent will be the 13th seed Diana Shnaider from Russia. Shnaider advanced with an impressive performance, not losing a single game against Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova.
In addition to Swiatek’s success, American players Coco Gauff and Madison Keys also progressed to the last 16 through straight-set victories. Gauff, seeded fourth, bested her fellow American Ann Li with a score of 6-2, 6-3. Meanwhile, fifth-seeded Keys, the 2023 Australian Open champion, edged past the Russian 30th seed Anna Kalinskaya, winning 7-5, 7-6 (7-3).
Source
www.bbc.com