Staff Reporter.
World No 1 Iga Swiatek claimed she had endured a “tricky” Sunday afternoon despite easing to a straight-sets win over American left-hander Bernarda Pera to reach the last 16 of the women’s tournament in the Spanish capital.
Swiatek, warming up for the defence of her French Open title, claimed a 6-3, 6-2 win for a sixth consecutive victory on clay this season.
“I wouldn’t say it was easy. Every match is tricky here,” Swiatek said after her 75-minute outing.
“I’m happy that I’m getting my rhythm. Playing against a lefty is never easy… but I’m pretty happy that I was disciplined and focused.”
Swiatek next faces 16th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova who came from a set down to see off Zheng Qinwen of China.
Also progressing to the fourth round was world No 3 Jessica Pegula, who clinched a gruelling 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) victory over Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic.
Pegula, 29, made the final in Madrid in 2022 where she lost to Ons Jabeur. She will now tackle Italy’s Martina Trevisan on Monday for a quarterfinal spot.