![Deadspin | Braves’ JR Ritchie faces ‘challenge’ in debut vs. Nationals Mar 10, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie (92) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Right-hander JR Ritchie, Atlanta’s No. 2 prospect, will make his major league debut when the Braves conclude their four-game series against the host Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon. Ritchie, 22, was selected with the 35th overall pick of the 2022 MLB Draft. He is 3-1 with an 0.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett. Thursday’s originally scheduled starter for the Braves, Martin Perez, was called upon for three relief innings after Wednesday starter Didier Fuentes only made it through three innings of Atlanta’s 8-6 victory. Perez gave up two runs and three hits as the Braves won for the seventh time in eight games entering Thursday’s matchup. “I’m excited to see JR against this tough lineup,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “It’s going to be a challenge for him. [The lineup] is going to be very left-handed, I’m sure. But he’s got weapons for that. He’s a good one.” Ritchie will oppose Washington right-hander Cade Cavalli (0-1, 4.12 ERA). Cavalli, 27, was selected by Washington with the 22nd overall pick in 2020. He allowed three runs (one earned) in four innings of a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. The Nationals lost 7-6 in 12 innings. Cavalli has not faced the Braves in his career. Michael Harris II hit two home runs, and Matt Olson smacked a three-run shot to help Atlanta overcome an early three-run deficit on Wednesday. Drake Baldwin homered for the second straight game for the Braves, who have earned at least a split of the four-game series. “The offense continues to swing the bat,” Weiss said. “Michael Harris is locked in, and we’ve seen it before. We’ve got some guys coming around. … We did a nice job scoring runs and overcoming a rough first inning.” Olson has 14 home runs in 32 career games at Nationals Park. Baldwin, who is batting .320 this season with 23 RBIs, joins Eddie Mathews (1959), Hank Aaron (1970), Rico Carty (1970) and Chipper Jones (1998) as the only Braves to collect 30-plus hits, 25-plus runs and 20-plus RBIs in the first 25 games of the season. James Wood homered for the second straight game to boost his National League-leading total to nine for the season for Washington. Daylen Lile went deep for the third time in five games with a three-run homer, and Joey Wiemer had a pinch-hit solo shot. “We don’t need to change one thing at all,” Lile said. “We’re doing everything we can as hitters, and we’re backing our pitchers up. As long as we’re staying positive and just committing to our plan and staying true to ourselves, the wins are going to start rolling.” Washington is scoring runs at an impressive clip, but Nationals pitchers are not holding up their end. They have given up seven or more runs in five of the past seven games. “Our pitchers are just as frustrated as anybody,” manager Blake Butera said. “They know what our offense is doing. … They want to go out there and limit it and let our offense do its thing and win some of these games that we should be winning.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Braves #Ritchie #faces #challenge #debut #Nationals](https://i0.wp.com/images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28454807.jpg?ssl=1 "Deadspin | Braves’ JR Ritchie faces ‘challenge’ in debut vs. Nationals Mar 10, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie (92) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Right-hander JR Ritchie, Atlanta’s No. 2 prospect, will make his major league debut when the Braves conclude their four-game series against the host Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon. Ritchie, 22, was selected with the 35th overall pick of the 2022 MLB Draft. He is 3-1 with an 0.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett. Thursday’s originally scheduled starter for the Braves, Martin Perez, was called upon for three relief innings after Wednesday starter Didier Fuentes only made it through three innings of Atlanta’s 8-6 victory. Perez gave up two runs and three hits as the Braves won for the seventh time in eight games entering Thursday’s matchup. “I’m excited to see JR against this tough lineup,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “It’s going to be a challenge for him. [The lineup] is going to be very left-handed, I’m sure. But he’s got weapons for that. He’s a good one.” Ritchie will oppose Washington right-hander Cade Cavalli (0-1, 4.12 ERA). Cavalli, 27, was selected by Washington with the 22nd overall pick in 2020. He allowed three runs (one earned) in four innings of a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. The Nationals lost 7-6 in 12 innings. Cavalli has not faced the Braves in his career. Michael Harris II hit two home runs, and Matt Olson smacked a three-run shot to help Atlanta overcome an early three-run deficit on Wednesday. Drake Baldwin homered for the second straight game for the Braves, who have earned at least a split of the four-game series. “The offense continues to swing the bat,” Weiss said. “Michael Harris is locked in, and we’ve seen it before. We’ve got some guys coming around. … We did a nice job scoring runs and overcoming a rough first inning.” Olson has 14 home runs in 32 career games at Nationals Park. Baldwin, who is batting .320 this season with 23 RBIs, joins Eddie Mathews (1959), Hank Aaron (1970), Rico Carty (1970) and Chipper Jones (1998) as the only Braves to collect 30-plus hits, 25-plus runs and 20-plus RBIs in the first 25 games of the season. James Wood homered for the second straight game to boost his National League-leading total to nine for the season for Washington. Daylen Lile went deep for the third time in five games with a three-run homer, and Joey Wiemer had a pinch-hit solo shot. “We don’t need to change one thing at all,” Lile said. “We’re doing everything we can as hitters, and we’re backing our pitchers up. As long as we’re staying positive and just committing to our plan and staying true to ourselves, the wins are going to start rolling.” Washington is scoring runs at an impressive clip, but Nationals pitchers are not holding up their end. They have given up seven or more runs in five of the past seven games. “Our pitchers are just as frustrated as anybody,” manager Blake Butera said. “They know what our offense is doing. … They want to go out there and limit it and let our offense do its thing and win some of these games that we should be winning.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Braves #Ritchie #faces #challenge #debut #Nationals")
Deadspin | Braves’ JR Ritchie faces ‘challenge’ in debut vs. Nationals ![Deadspin | Braves’ JR Ritchie faces ‘challenge’ in debut vs. Nationals Mar 10, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie (92) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Right-hander JR Ritchie, Atlanta’s No. 2 prospect, will make his major league debut when the Braves conclude their four-game series against the host Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon. Ritchie, 22, was selected with the 35th overall pick of the 2022 MLB Draft. He is 3-1 with an 0.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett. Thursday’s originally scheduled starter for the Braves, Martin Perez, was called upon for three relief innings after Wednesday starter Didier Fuentes only made it through three innings of Atlanta’s 8-6 victory. Perez gave up two runs and three hits as the Braves won for the seventh time in eight games entering Thursday’s matchup. “I’m excited to see JR against this tough lineup,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “It’s going to be a challenge for him. [The lineup] is going to be very left-handed, I’m sure. But he’s got weapons for that. He’s a good one.” Ritchie will oppose Washington right-hander Cade Cavalli (0-1, 4.12 ERA). Cavalli, 27, was selected by Washington with the 22nd overall pick in 2020. He allowed three runs (one earned) in four innings of a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. The Nationals lost 7-6 in 12 innings. Cavalli has not faced the Braves in his career. Michael Harris II hit two home runs, and Matt Olson smacked a three-run shot to help Atlanta overcome an early three-run deficit on Wednesday. Drake Baldwin homered for the second straight game for the Braves, who have earned at least a split of the four-game series. “The offense continues to swing the bat,” Weiss said. “Michael Harris is locked in, and we’ve seen it before. We’ve got some guys coming around. … We did a nice job scoring runs and overcoming a rough first inning.” Olson has 14 home runs in 32 career games at Nationals Park. Baldwin, who is batting .320 this season with 23 RBIs, joins Eddie Mathews (1959), Hank Aaron (1970), Rico Carty (1970) and Chipper Jones (1998) as the only Braves to collect 30-plus hits, 25-plus runs and 20-plus RBIs in the first 25 games of the season. James Wood homered for the second straight game to boost his National League-leading total to nine for the season for Washington. Daylen Lile went deep for the third time in five games with a three-run homer, and Joey Wiemer had a pinch-hit solo shot. “We don’t need to change one thing at all,” Lile said. “We’re doing everything we can as hitters, and we’re backing our pitchers up. As long as we’re staying positive and just committing to our plan and staying true to ourselves, the wins are going to start rolling.” Washington is scoring runs at an impressive clip, but Nationals pitchers are not holding up their end. They have given up seven or more runs in five of the past seven games. “Our pitchers are just as frustrated as anybody,” manager Blake Butera said. “They know what our offense is doing. … They want to go out there and limit it and let our offense do its thing and win some of these games that we should be winning.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Braves #Ritchie #faces #challenge #debut #Nationals](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28454807.jpg "Deadspin | Braves’ JR Ritchie faces ‘challenge’ in debut vs. Nationals Mar 10, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie (92) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Right-hander JR Ritchie, Atlanta’s No. 2 prospect, will make his major league debut when the Braves conclude their four-game series against the host Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon. Ritchie, 22, was selected with the 35th overall pick of the 2022 MLB Draft. He is 3-1 with an 0.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett. Thursday’s originally scheduled starter for the Braves, Martin Perez, was called upon for three relief innings after Wednesday starter Didier Fuentes only made it through three innings of Atlanta’s 8-6 victory. Perez gave up two runs and three hits as the Braves won for the seventh time in eight games entering Thursday’s matchup. “I’m excited to see JR against this tough lineup,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “It’s going to be a challenge for him. [The lineup] is going to be very left-handed, I’m sure. But he’s got weapons for that. He’s a good one.” Ritchie will oppose Washington right-hander Cade Cavalli (0-1, 4.12 ERA). Cavalli, 27, was selected by Washington with the 22nd overall pick in 2020. He allowed three runs (one earned) in four innings of a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. The Nationals lost 7-6 in 12 innings. Cavalli has not faced the Braves in his career. Michael Harris II hit two home runs, and Matt Olson smacked a three-run shot to help Atlanta overcome an early three-run deficit on Wednesday. Drake Baldwin homered for the second straight game for the Braves, who have earned at least a split of the four-game series. “The offense continues to swing the bat,” Weiss said. “Michael Harris is locked in, and we’ve seen it before. We’ve got some guys coming around. … We did a nice job scoring runs and overcoming a rough first inning.” Olson has 14 home runs in 32 career games at Nationals Park. Baldwin, who is batting .320 this season with 23 RBIs, joins Eddie Mathews (1959), Hank Aaron (1970), Rico Carty (1970) and Chipper Jones (1998) as the only Braves to collect 30-plus hits, 25-plus runs and 20-plus RBIs in the first 25 games of the season. James Wood homered for the second straight game to boost his National League-leading total to nine for the season for Washington. Daylen Lile went deep for the third time in five games with a three-run homer, and Joey Wiemer had a pinch-hit solo shot. “We don’t need to change one thing at all,” Lile said. “We’re doing everything we can as hitters, and we’re backing our pitchers up. As long as we’re staying positive and just committing to our plan and staying true to ourselves, the wins are going to start rolling.” Washington is scoring runs at an impressive clip, but Nationals pitchers are not holding up their end. They have given up seven or more runs in five of the past seven games. “Our pitchers are just as frustrated as anybody,” manager Blake Butera said. “They know what our offense is doing. … They want to go out there and limit it and let our offense do its thing and win some of these games that we should be winning.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Braves #Ritchie #faces #challenge #debut #Nationals")
Mar 10, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie (92) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Right-hander JR Ritchie, Atlanta’s No. 2 prospect, will make his major league debut when the Braves conclude their four-game series against the host Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon.
Ritchie, 22, was selected with the 35th overall pick of the 2022 MLB Draft. He is 3-1 with an 0.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett.
Thursday’s originally scheduled starter for the Braves, Martin Perez, was called upon for three relief innings after Wednesday starter Didier Fuentes only made it through three innings of Atlanta’s 8-6 victory.
Perez gave up two runs and three hits as the Braves won for the seventh time in eight games entering Thursday’s matchup.
“I’m excited to see JR against this tough lineup,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “It’s going to be a challenge for him. [The lineup] is going to be very left-handed, I’m sure. But he’s got weapons for that. He’s a good one.”
Ritchie will oppose Washington right-hander Cade Cavalli (0-1, 4.12 ERA).
Cavalli, 27, was selected by Washington with the 22nd overall pick in 2020. He allowed three runs (one earned) in four innings of a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. The Nationals lost 7-6 in 12 innings.
Cavalli has not faced the Braves in his career.
Michael Harris II hit two home runs, and Matt Olson smacked a three-run shot to help Atlanta overcome an early three-run deficit on Wednesday.
Drake Baldwin homered for the second straight game for the Braves, who have earned at least a split of the four-game series.
“The offense continues to swing the bat,” Weiss said. “Michael Harris is locked in, and we’ve seen it before. We’ve got some guys coming around. … We did a nice job scoring runs and overcoming a rough first inning.”
Olson has 14 home runs in 32 career games at Nationals Park.
Baldwin, who is batting .320 this season with 23 RBIs, joins Eddie Mathews (1959), Hank Aaron (1970), Rico Carty (1970) and Chipper Jones (1998) as the only Braves to collect 30-plus hits, 25-plus runs and 20-plus RBIs in the first 25 games of the season.
James Wood homered for the second straight game to boost his National League-leading total to nine for the season for Washington. Daylen Lile went deep for the third time in five games with a three-run homer, and Joey Wiemer had a pinch-hit solo shot.
“We don’t need to change one thing at all,” Lile said. “We’re doing everything we can as hitters, and we’re backing our pitchers up. As long as we’re staying positive and just committing to our plan and staying true to ourselves, the wins are going to start rolling.”
Washington is scoring runs at an impressive clip, but Nationals pitchers are not holding up their end. They have given up seven or more runs in five of the past seven games.
“Our pitchers are just as frustrated as anybody,” manager Blake Butera said. “They know what our offense is doing. … They want to go out there and limit it and let our offense do its thing and win some of these games that we should be winning.”
–Field Level Media
#Deadspin #Braves #Ritchie #faces #challenge #debut #Nationals
Mar 10, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie (92) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Right-hander JR Ritchie, Atlanta’s No. 2 prospect, will make his major league debut when the Braves conclude their four-game series against the host Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon.
Ritchie, 22, was selected with the 35th overall pick of the 2022 MLB Draft. He is 3-1 with an 0.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett.
Thursday’s originally scheduled starter for the Braves, Martin Perez, was called upon for three relief innings after Wednesday starter Didier Fuentes only made it through three innings of Atlanta’s 8-6 victory.
Perez gave up two runs and three hits as the Braves won for the seventh time in eight games entering Thursday’s matchup.
“I’m excited to see JR against this tough lineup,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “It’s going to be a challenge for him. [The lineup] is going to be very left-handed, I’m sure. But he’s got weapons for that. He’s a good one.”
Ritchie will oppose Washington right-hander Cade Cavalli (0-1, 4.12 ERA).
Cavalli, 27, was selected by Washington with the 22nd overall pick in 2020. He allowed three runs (one earned) in four innings of a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. The Nationals lost 7-6 in 12 innings.
Cavalli has not faced the Braves in his career.
Michael Harris II hit two home runs, and Matt Olson smacked a three-run shot to help Atlanta overcome an early three-run deficit on Wednesday.
Drake Baldwin homered for the second straight game for the Braves, who have earned at least a split of the four-game series.
“The offense continues to swing the bat,” Weiss said. “Michael Harris is locked in, and we’ve seen it before. We’ve got some guys coming around. … We did a nice job scoring runs and overcoming a rough first inning.”
Olson has 14 home runs in 32 career games at Nationals Park.
Baldwin, who is batting .320 this season with 23 RBIs, joins Eddie Mathews (1959), Hank Aaron (1970), Rico Carty (1970) and Chipper Jones (1998) as the only Braves to collect 30-plus hits, 25-plus runs and 20-plus RBIs in the first 25 games of the season.
James Wood homered for the second straight game to boost his National League-leading total to nine for the season for Washington. Daylen Lile went deep for the third time in five games with a three-run homer, and Joey Wiemer had a pinch-hit solo shot.
“We don’t need to change one thing at all,” Lile said. “We’re doing everything we can as hitters, and we’re backing our pitchers up. As long as we’re staying positive and just committing to our plan and staying true to ourselves, the wins are going to start rolling.”
Washington is scoring runs at an impressive clip, but Nationals pitchers are not holding up their end. They have given up seven or more runs in five of the past seven games.
“Our pitchers are just as frustrated as anybody,” manager Blake Butera said. “They know what our offense is doing. … They want to go out there and limit it and let our offense do its thing and win some of these games that we should be winning.”
–Field Level Media
![Madrid Open 2026: Sabalenka, Swiatek enter third round Aryna Sabalenka shook off some rust to post her first victory of the season on clay and extend her winning streak to 13 matches on Thursday at the Madrid Open.The world number one, who was playing her first match since she completed the Sunshine Double by winning Indian Wells and Miami last month, committed 26 unforced errors in her 7-5, 6-3 win over American Peyton Stearns in the second round in the Spanish capital.The defending champion, in search of a fourth career title at the Caja Magica, converted four of 12 break points against Stearns, double-faulted five times, and dropped serve twice, before she made it over the finish line to set up a third-round meeting with Romanian Jaqueline Cristian. Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
“I’m super happy to start with a win, even though maybe the tennis wasn’t that good, but I felt like with every game I was playing, the better I was playing, so I really hope in the next one I bring a better performance,” said Sabalenka, who has won a remarkable 24 of her 25 matches so far in 2026.Earlier, Iga Swiatek made quick work of her opening test in Madrid, breezing past Daria Snigur 6-1, 6-2 at the Caja Magica.The Polish fourth seed needed just 61 minutes to move past Snigur, who was coming off the first tour-level main draw victory of her career on clay over Daria Kasatkina.The Ukrainian qualifier saved four match points against Kasatkina on Wednesday, and secured the win by clinching the longest first-to-seven tiebreak at tour-level in eight years with a 15-13 scoreline.Snigur had little fight left in her for her clash with Swiatek, who barring a brief blip early in the second set was in fierce form as she continues her quest for a first clay-court title since she claimed a fourth Roland Garros crown nearly two years ago.“I’m very happy. Madrid is a special place to play, because of how special the tournament is, but also because of the conditions, so I’m happy that I adjusted well to them and was solid and just playing my game,” said Swiatek, who is contesting her second tournament under the guidance of her new coach Francis Roig. Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Swiatek, a champion in Madrid in 2024, swatted away three break points to open up a 5-0 lead inside 23 minutes and closed out the set eight minutes later after Snigur finally got on the board.Snigur enjoyed a much stronger start to the second set, finding the rhythm on her backhand to put pressure on Swiatek, who got broken for the first time in the contest to fall behind 0-2.The Ukrainian’s advantage was short-lived though as Swiatek struck right back and swept the next six games to book a third-round meeting with Ann Li.Meanwhile, Hungarian world number 63 Anna Bondar upset seventh-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-4 to claim the first top-10 victory of her career.Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.Ex-world number one Naomi Osaka began her clay-court campaign with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Colombia’s Camila Osorio. She’ll play Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina for a spot in the last 16.Unheralded Paraguayan starsIn men’s action, Paraguayan qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo said he felt like he was living “a movie” after he dispatched former world number three Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4.The 21-year-old cracked the top 100 for the first time last month – following a 14-1 start to the season at the Challenger level – and is making his Masters 1000 debut this week. He is the first Paraguayan to compete in Madrid Open history and will next take on American 17th seed Learner Tien.“For me this is unbelievable. It looks like a movie, I don’t know what’s happening,” Vallejo told Tennis TV. “The other day I played on Manolo Santana centre court. Today I played here. I used to watch him (Dimitrov), all the highlights. The points that he did against me today, I used to watch it on TV and to play against him… wow, I can’t understand what’s happening. I’m just trying to enjoy all this.”Former world number three and 2019 Madrid runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas eked out a 3-6, 7-6[6], 7-6[4] win against American lucky loser Patrick Kypson.Currently ranked 80 in the world, the two-time Grand Slam finalist will square off with eighth-seeded Alexander Bublik in round two.The soon-to-be-retiring Gael Monfils lost his opener 6-3, 6-4 to Camilo Ugo Carabelli, marking his last time competing at the Madrid Open.Published on Apr 23, 2026 #Madrid #Open #Sabalenka #Swiatek #enter](https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/u1bgih/article70898865.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-04-23T150504Z_1589292658_UP1EM4N15WEVX_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-MADRID.JPG "Madrid Open 2026: Sabalenka, Swiatek enter third round Aryna Sabalenka shook off some rust to post her first victory of the season on clay and extend her winning streak to 13 matches on Thursday at the Madrid Open.The world number one, who was playing her first match since she completed the Sunshine Double by winning Indian Wells and Miami last month, committed 26 unforced errors in her 7-5, 6-3 win over American Peyton Stearns in the second round in the Spanish capital.The defending champion, in search of a fourth career title at the Caja Magica, converted four of 12 break points against Stearns, double-faulted five times, and dropped serve twice, before she made it over the finish line to set up a third-round meeting with Romanian Jaqueline Cristian. Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
“I’m super happy to start with a win, even though maybe the tennis wasn’t that good, but I felt like with every game I was playing, the better I was playing, so I really hope in the next one I bring a better performance,” said Sabalenka, who has won a remarkable 24 of her 25 matches so far in 2026.Earlier, Iga Swiatek made quick work of her opening test in Madrid, breezing past Daria Snigur 6-1, 6-2 at the Caja Magica.The Polish fourth seed needed just 61 minutes to move past Snigur, who was coming off the first tour-level main draw victory of her career on clay over Daria Kasatkina.The Ukrainian qualifier saved four match points against Kasatkina on Wednesday, and secured the win by clinching the longest first-to-seven tiebreak at tour-level in eight years with a 15-13 scoreline.Snigur had little fight left in her for her clash with Swiatek, who barring a brief blip early in the second set was in fierce form as she continues her quest for a first clay-court title since she claimed a fourth Roland Garros crown nearly two years ago.“I’m very happy. Madrid is a special place to play, because of how special the tournament is, but also because of the conditions, so I’m happy that I adjusted well to them and was solid and just playing my game,” said Swiatek, who is contesting her second tournament under the guidance of her new coach Francis Roig. Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Swiatek, a champion in Madrid in 2024, swatted away three break points to open up a 5-0 lead inside 23 minutes and closed out the set eight minutes later after Snigur finally got on the board.Snigur enjoyed a much stronger start to the second set, finding the rhythm on her backhand to put pressure on Swiatek, who got broken for the first time in the contest to fall behind 0-2.The Ukrainian’s advantage was short-lived though as Swiatek struck right back and swept the next six games to book a third-round meeting with Ann Li.Meanwhile, Hungarian world number 63 Anna Bondar upset seventh-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-4 to claim the first top-10 victory of her career.Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.Ex-world number one Naomi Osaka began her clay-court campaign with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Colombia’s Camila Osorio. She’ll play Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina for a spot in the last 16.Unheralded Paraguayan starsIn men’s action, Paraguayan qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo said he felt like he was living “a movie” after he dispatched former world number three Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4.The 21-year-old cracked the top 100 for the first time last month – following a 14-1 start to the season at the Challenger level – and is making his Masters 1000 debut this week. He is the first Paraguayan to compete in Madrid Open history and will next take on American 17th seed Learner Tien.“For me this is unbelievable. It looks like a movie, I don’t know what’s happening,” Vallejo told Tennis TV. “The other day I played on Manolo Santana centre court. Today I played here. I used to watch him (Dimitrov), all the highlights. The points that he did against me today, I used to watch it on TV and to play against him… wow, I can’t understand what’s happening. I’m just trying to enjoy all this.”Former world number three and 2019 Madrid runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas eked out a 3-6, 7-6[6], 7-6[4] win against American lucky loser Patrick Kypson.Currently ranked 80 in the world, the two-time Grand Slam finalist will square off with eighth-seeded Alexander Bublik in round two.The soon-to-be-retiring Gael Monfils lost his opener 6-3, 6-4 to Camilo Ugo Carabelli, marking his last time competing at the Madrid Open.Published on Apr 23, 2026 #Madrid #Open #Sabalenka #Swiatek #enter")
![Madrid Open 2026: Sabalenka, Swiatek enter third round Aryna Sabalenka shook off some rust to post her first victory of the season on clay and extend her winning streak to 13 matches on Thursday at the Madrid Open.The world number one, who was playing her first match since she completed the Sunshine Double by winning Indian Wells and Miami last month, committed 26 unforced errors in her 7-5, 6-3 win over American Peyton Stearns in the second round in the Spanish capital.The defending champion, in search of a fourth career title at the Caja Magica, converted four of 12 break points against Stearns, double-faulted five times, and dropped serve twice, before she made it over the finish line to set up a third-round meeting with Romanian Jaqueline Cristian. Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
“I’m super happy to start with a win, even though maybe the tennis wasn’t that good, but I felt like with every game I was playing, the better I was playing, so I really hope in the next one I bring a better performance,” said Sabalenka, who has won a remarkable 24 of her 25 matches so far in 2026.Earlier, Iga Swiatek made quick work of her opening test in Madrid, breezing past Daria Snigur 6-1, 6-2 at the Caja Magica.The Polish fourth seed needed just 61 minutes to move past Snigur, who was coming off the first tour-level main draw victory of her career on clay over Daria Kasatkina.The Ukrainian qualifier saved four match points against Kasatkina on Wednesday, and secured the win by clinching the longest first-to-seven tiebreak at tour-level in eight years with a 15-13 scoreline.Snigur had little fight left in her for her clash with Swiatek, who barring a brief blip early in the second set was in fierce form as she continues her quest for a first clay-court title since she claimed a fourth Roland Garros crown nearly two years ago.“I’m very happy. Madrid is a special place to play, because of how special the tournament is, but also because of the conditions, so I’m happy that I adjusted well to them and was solid and just playing my game,” said Swiatek, who is contesting her second tournament under the guidance of her new coach Francis Roig. Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Swiatek, a champion in Madrid in 2024, swatted away three break points to open up a 5-0 lead inside 23 minutes and closed out the set eight minutes later after Snigur finally got on the board.Snigur enjoyed a much stronger start to the second set, finding the rhythm on her backhand to put pressure on Swiatek, who got broken for the first time in the contest to fall behind 0-2.The Ukrainian’s advantage was short-lived though as Swiatek struck right back and swept the next six games to book a third-round meeting with Ann Li.Meanwhile, Hungarian world number 63 Anna Bondar upset seventh-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-4 to claim the first top-10 victory of her career.Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.Ex-world number one Naomi Osaka began her clay-court campaign with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Colombia’s Camila Osorio. She’ll play Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina for a spot in the last 16.Unheralded Paraguayan starsIn men’s action, Paraguayan qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo said he felt like he was living “a movie” after he dispatched former world number three Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4.The 21-year-old cracked the top 100 for the first time last month – following a 14-1 start to the season at the Challenger level – and is making his Masters 1000 debut this week. He is the first Paraguayan to compete in Madrid Open history and will next take on American 17th seed Learner Tien.“For me this is unbelievable. It looks like a movie, I don’t know what’s happening,” Vallejo told Tennis TV. “The other day I played on Manolo Santana centre court. Today I played here. I used to watch him (Dimitrov), all the highlights. The points that he did against me today, I used to watch it on TV and to play against him… wow, I can’t understand what’s happening. I’m just trying to enjoy all this.”Former world number three and 2019 Madrid runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas eked out a 3-6, 7-6[6], 7-6[4] win against American lucky loser Patrick Kypson.Currently ranked 80 in the world, the two-time Grand Slam finalist will square off with eighth-seeded Alexander Bublik in round two.The soon-to-be-retiring Gael Monfils lost his opener 6-3, 6-4 to Camilo Ugo Carabelli, marking his last time competing at the Madrid Open.Published on Apr 23, 2026 #Madrid #Open #Sabalenka #Swiatek #enter](https://i3.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/u1bgih/article70898865.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-04-23T150504Z_1589292658_UP1EM4N15WEVX_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-MADRID.JPG?ssl=1 "Madrid Open 2026: Sabalenka, Swiatek enter third round Aryna Sabalenka shook off some rust to post her first victory of the season on clay and extend her winning streak to 13 matches on Thursday at the Madrid Open.The world number one, who was playing her first match since she completed the Sunshine Double by winning Indian Wells and Miami last month, committed 26 unforced errors in her 7-5, 6-3 win over American Peyton Stearns in the second round in the Spanish capital.The defending champion, in search of a fourth career title at the Caja Magica, converted four of 12 break points against Stearns, double-faulted five times, and dropped serve twice, before she made it over the finish line to set up a third-round meeting with Romanian Jaqueline Cristian. Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
“I’m super happy to start with a win, even though maybe the tennis wasn’t that good, but I felt like with every game I was playing, the better I was playing, so I really hope in the next one I bring a better performance,” said Sabalenka, who has won a remarkable 24 of her 25 matches so far in 2026.Earlier, Iga Swiatek made quick work of her opening test in Madrid, breezing past Daria Snigur 6-1, 6-2 at the Caja Magica.The Polish fourth seed needed just 61 minutes to move past Snigur, who was coming off the first tour-level main draw victory of her career on clay over Daria Kasatkina.The Ukrainian qualifier saved four match points against Kasatkina on Wednesday, and secured the win by clinching the longest first-to-seven tiebreak at tour-level in eight years with a 15-13 scoreline.Snigur had little fight left in her for her clash with Swiatek, who barring a brief blip early in the second set was in fierce form as she continues her quest for a first clay-court title since she claimed a fourth Roland Garros crown nearly two years ago.“I’m very happy. Madrid is a special place to play, because of how special the tournament is, but also because of the conditions, so I’m happy that I adjusted well to them and was solid and just playing my game,” said Swiatek, who is contesting her second tournament under the guidance of her new coach Francis Roig. Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Swiatek, a champion in Madrid in 2024, swatted away three break points to open up a 5-0 lead inside 23 minutes and closed out the set eight minutes later after Snigur finally got on the board.Snigur enjoyed a much stronger start to the second set, finding the rhythm on her backhand to put pressure on Swiatek, who got broken for the first time in the contest to fall behind 0-2.The Ukrainian’s advantage was short-lived though as Swiatek struck right back and swept the next six games to book a third-round meeting with Ann Li.Meanwhile, Hungarian world number 63 Anna Bondar upset seventh-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-4 to claim the first top-10 victory of her career.Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.Ex-world number one Naomi Osaka began her clay-court campaign with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Colombia’s Camila Osorio. She’ll play Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina for a spot in the last 16.Unheralded Paraguayan starsIn men’s action, Paraguayan qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo said he felt like he was living “a movie” after he dispatched former world number three Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4.The 21-year-old cracked the top 100 for the first time last month – following a 14-1 start to the season at the Challenger level – and is making his Masters 1000 debut this week. He is the first Paraguayan to compete in Madrid Open history and will next take on American 17th seed Learner Tien.“For me this is unbelievable. It looks like a movie, I don’t know what’s happening,” Vallejo told Tennis TV. “The other day I played on Manolo Santana centre court. Today I played here. I used to watch him (Dimitrov), all the highlights. The points that he did against me today, I used to watch it on TV and to play against him… wow, I can’t understand what’s happening. I’m just trying to enjoy all this.”Former world number three and 2019 Madrid runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas eked out a 3-6, 7-6[6], 7-6[4] win against American lucky loser Patrick Kypson.Currently ranked 80 in the world, the two-time Grand Slam finalist will square off with eighth-seeded Alexander Bublik in round two.The soon-to-be-retiring Gael Monfils lost his opener 6-3, 6-4 to Camilo Ugo Carabelli, marking his last time competing at the Madrid Open.Published on Apr 23, 2026 #Madrid #Open #Sabalenka #Swiatek #enter")
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