\n<\/p>\n
In the singles tournament, world number four Iga Swiatek was forced to retire from her third round tie against American Ann Li because of illness.<\/p>\n
Poland’s Swiatek bounced back from losing the opening set to take the second but was trailing 3-0 in the decider when she called time on her tournament.<\/p>\n
“I heard there is something going on between players, that the virus is somewhere on site. I’m sure I’ll be fine in a couple of days but I had zero energy and zero stability and just felt really bad physically, and yesterday even worse,” Swiatek said. <\/p>\n
“On the court before the tournament I felt like I’m playing great so actually it’s sad for me that I can’t play because I was feeling really good with my game and I was moving forward in the process.<\/p>\n
“But the tournament has just started and I couldn’t even compete today so it’s disappointing.”<\/p>\n
It is the earliest six-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek has exited the Madrid Open in five appearances, having won the title in 2024.<\/p>\n
Swiatek will hope to recover quickly with the Italian Open beginning on 28 April and the French Open scheduled for 18 May.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka marched through to the fourth round with a 6-1 6-4 win over Jaqueline Cristian.<\/p>\n
World number one Sabalenka, of Belarus, will face either Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina or Japan’s Naomi Osaka next.<\/p>\n
Hailey Baptiste pulled off an upset against Italian world number nine Jasmine Paolini, winning 7-5 6-3 to set up a fourth-round tie with Belinda Bencic.<\/p>\n
In the men’s singles, defending champion Casper Ruud beat Jaume Munar 6-0 6-1 and will face Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round.<\/p>\n
World number three Alexander Zverev also advanced courtesy of a 6-1 3-6 6-3 win over Mariano Navone. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n