The Mutua Madrid Open 2025 is heating up as the tournament enters its fourth day, showcasing thrilling matchups and unexpected results. Fans flocked to the Caja Mágica to witness some of the biggest names in tennis, despite notable absences due to injury.
One of the most significant upsets of the day came when Novak Djokovic, the tournament's top seed and a fan favorite, faced off against Matteo Arnaldi. In a stunning turn of events, Djokovic fell to Arnaldi in straight sets, losing 6-3, 6-4. This defeat marks Djokovic's second consecutive first-round exit from a Masters 1000 event, following his early exit in Monte Carlo last week. "This is incredible. For me, it’s amazing to play against Novak, the best in history... I’m just happy to have played against him," Arnaldi said after the match, reflecting on his monumental victory.
Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas managed to avoid the same fate as Djokovic, coming back from a set down to defeat Jan-Lennard Struff. Tsitsipas lost the first set 3-6 but rallied to win the next two sets 6-4, 6-3. The Greek star's victory was marked by a comical moment when he initially sat on his bench, unaware that he had won the match. The crowd erupted in cheers as he realized the match was over.
In other matches, Grigor Dimitrov continued his strong form, defeating Nicolás Jarry 6-3, 6-4, extending his winning streak to eight victories in his last ten matches. Dimitrov is set to face Jacob Fearnley in the next round, who advanced by defeating Tomas Machac 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.
On the women's side, Coco Gauff showcased her talent, defeating fellow American Ann Li with a score of 6-2, 6-3, advancing to the next round with a clear message of dominance. Gauff's performance highlights her status as one of the rising stars in women’s tennis.
The day also featured several other matches, including Frances Tiafoe's clash with Luciano Darderi and the highly anticipated debut of Iga Swiatek against Linda Noskova later in the evening. Swiatek, the reigning champion, is looking to defend her title amidst a challenging field.
As the tournament progresses, the absence of Spanish stars Carlos Alcaraz and Paula Badosa looms large. Alcaraz withdrew due to an injury sustained during the Conde Godó final, while Badosa continues to recover from a chronic back issue. Alejandro Davidovich remains the only Spanish player in the draw, carrying the hopes of the home crowd.
Looking ahead, the schedule for April 26 includes a total of 32 matches across various courts at the Caja Mágica. The action will continue with matches starting at 11:00 AM local time, featuring a mix of ATP and WTA players vying for a chance to advance in the tournament. Notably, the men's final is scheduled for May 4, 2025, while the women’s final will take place a day earlier on May 3.
For those interested in watching the tournament, the matches are being broadcast on Teledeporte, La 1, RTVE Play, and Movistar Plus+, ensuring fans can catch all the action live. As the competition heats up, the excitement surrounding the Mutua Madrid Open continues to build, promising thrilling matches and unforgettable moments.
