Former world number 1 Iga Swiontek retired in the third round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Madrid during her match against An Li. The Pole, the 2024 champion, retired in the deciding set 6:7(4), 6:2, 0:3 due to illness, which had been evidently hampering her from the start of the match.
Li thus advances to face Leila Ani Fernandez in the next round, who eliminated Iva Jovic after a comeback – 3:6, 6:3, 6:2.
Mira Andreeva also qualified among the top eight. The 9th seed faced no serious resistance against Dalma Galfi and won 6-3, 6-2. Her next obstacle will be Anna Bondar, who eliminated Laura Samson.
Swiss top seed Belinda Bencic also advances to the next round, defeating Diana Schneider 6-2, 7-6(6).