Madrid tournament | Rafael Nadal, Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner continue their journey in Madrid

(Madrid) The Spaniard Rafael Nadal did not play his last match in front of his compatriots.

The holder of 22 Grand Slam titles defeated the Australian Alex de Minaur (11^e) 7-6 (6) and 6-3 in the second round of the Madrid Tennis Open on Saturday.

Among the spectators, the King of Spain Felipe VI and Zinedine Zidane were notably present to cheer Nadal (512^e), who is most likely playing his last tournament in Spain.

The 37-year-old athlete only played a fourth match since his last injury. Plagued by injuries over the years, he recently said this was likely his last season in the ATP.

De Minaur beat Nadal 7-5, 6-1 just 11 days earlier in Barcelona, ​​where the Spaniard was making a comeback after an absence of more than three months. In Madrid he looked much better.

“I had very difficult months during which I saw no reason to continue, but I dreamed of experiencing these emotions like these again, and even more so at home,” Nadal said. It was incredible. »

Nadal’s ultimate goal is to be competitive one last time at the French Open, where he has triumphed 14 times. The tournament will take place next month.

The Polish Iga Swiatek and the Italian Jannik Sinner, respectively ranked first in the WTA and second in the ATP, also easily continued their journey in Madrid.

Sinner defeated Lorenzo Sonego (52^e) 6-0 and 6-3 in the second round, signing a fifth victory in as many matches against his compatriot in the ATP.

The reigning Australian Open champion took advantage of a first-round bye.

“I know Lorenzo well,” Sinner said. We have a great friendship off the field, we played together in the Davis Cup, we trained together. He wasn’t at his best. I wish him the best for the rest of the season. »

Sinner will face Australian Jordan Thompson (33^e) or the Russian Pavel Kotov (72^e) in the third round. He is looking for a fourth title this season after the Australian Open and the tournaments in Rotterdam and Miami.

Only one of his 13 career titles came on clay. It was in Croatia, in 2022.

Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro (118^e) surprised the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (seventh) 6-4 and 6-4 in the second round. Tsitsipas had a 10-1 record on clay this season so far.

“I had a very good opponent on the other side of the net,” said Tsitsipas. He made excellent shots and punished me every time I made shots that were too short. »

The American Sebastian Korda (26^e) and the Czech Jiri Lehecka (31^e) also won their respective matches.

Swiatek for his part disposed of the Romanian Sorana Cirstea (30^e) 6-1 and 6-1 to reach the round of 16.

Swiatek, who lost in last year’s final to second-place finisher Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, improved her record to 26-4 this season.

She will face the Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo (55^e), Monday, for a place in the quarter-finals. Sorribes Tormo defeated Belarusian Victoria Azarenka (26^e) 7-6 (0) and 6-3.

Swiatek will try to win a third consecutive French Open title next month. She has triumphed three times at the Roland-Garros tournament.

The Madrid Open is the only European tournament played on clay at level 500 or higher that is missing from the Polish player’s record.

The Greek Maria Sakkari (sixth) also continued her journey by defeating the American Sloane Stephens (33^e) 6-1 and 6-3.