The first joint ATP/WTA 1000 event of the clay court season is underway in Madrid. Friday features second round matches from both the men’s and women’s singles draws.
A year ago, Jannik Sinner was unable to play in Madrid, as he was serving a 90-day suspension for multiple failed drug tests. But after winning his fourth consecutive Masters 1000 title two weeks ago in Monte Carlo, he regained the World No.1 ranking from Carlos Alcaraz, who is now absent from his home country’s biggest tournament due to a wrist injury. Sinner makes his return to the Madrid Open on Friday, as he vies for his first title at this event. The defending men’s singles champion is Casper Ruud, who will play his opening match on Saturday.
Aryna Sabalenka is both the defending champion and the World No.1 in women’s singles, and she’s won this tournament in three of the last five years. Like Sinner, Sabalenka also won the “Sunshine Double” (Indian Wells and Miami) last month, and has now held the No.1 ranking since late-2024. Her main competition of late has been World No.2 Elena Rybakina, who won this year’s first Major by defeating Sabalenka in the final. Rybakina plays her opening match on Friday, as does third-seeded Coco Gauff. Sabalenka already won her opening match on Thursday, in straight sets.
Plus, teenage phenoms Joao Fonseca and Rafael Jodar will both be in action on Friday.
Here’s a rundown of the most notable matches on Friday (in chronological order, all times local):
Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs. Elena Rybakina (2) – Second on Manolo Santana Stadium
Rybakina is now 25-5 on the year, and is coming off a title run just last week in Stuttgart. She was a semifinalist here in 2024, but overall is just 8-5 in Madrid. Elena is 2-0 against Elena-Gabriela, with both victories coming in straight sets.
Leolia Jeanjean (Q) vs. Coco Gauff (3) – Not Before 3:00pm on Arantxa Sanchez Stadium
Gauff was the runner-up here a year ago, and also reached the final at the last WTA 1000 tournament, in Miami. She continues to fight her way to victories despite service and forehand issues. Four years ago at the US Open, she defeated Jeanjean, a 30-year-old from France, by a score of 6-2, 6-3.
Jannik Sinner (1) vs. Benjamin Bonzi (Q) – Not Before 4:00pm on Manolo Santana Stadium
Sinner is 24-2 during 2026, and is on a 17-match winning streak. He’s also now won 22 straight matches at Masters 1000 events. But Jannik is just 6-2 lifetime in Madrid, with a 2024 quarterfinal appearance being his best result to date. The World No.1 is a perfect 3-0 against Bonzi, though their last two matches went the distance.
Rafael Jodar (WC) vs. Alex de Minaur (5) – Not Before 8:00pm on Manolo Santana Stadium
Jodar is a standout 19-year-old Spaniard who is 27-8 this season at all levels. A year ago, he was ranked outside the world’s top 700, but he’s now on the verge of being seeded next month at Roland Garros. The aggressive baseliner won his first ATP title earlier this month in Marrakech, and then reached the semis of Barcelona. De Minaur is 15-7 this season, yet despite often residing and training in Spain, is just 6-6 in Madrid.
Joao Fonseca (27) vs. Marin Cilic – Last on Arantxa Sanchez Stadium
Fonseca is a modest 10-7 during 2026, as a chronic back issue has bothered him since the beginning of the year. Cilic holds a similar record of 10-8, but he hasn’t advanced beyond the second round of a Masters tournament since 2022.
Friday’s full Order of Play is here.
