Cameron Norrie fought his way through a three‑set battle against Tomas Machac to secure a place in the third round of the Madrid Open, while his compatriot Katie Boulter was eliminated by the tournament’s fifth seed, Jessica Pegula, on Friday. Norrie's start was dominant; he captured the opening set 6‑2 with fluid strokes and confidence. The second set, however, turned into a tense affair.
After a tightly contested exchange, Machac saved a match point and managed to push the set to a tiebreak, eventually clinching it 8‑6. At that moment Norrie found himself on the brink of defeat, trailing 5‑3 in the third set and facing a break that seemed to seal his exit. Displaying the resilience that has become a hallmark of his game, the British No.1 broke back when Machac served for the match, leveling the set at 5‑5.
The momentum shifted, and Norrie held his nerve in the decisive tiebreak, edging it 7‑5 to claim the match 6‑2, 6‑7 (6‑8), 7‑6 (7‑5). He later described the encounter as one of the "favorite matches" of his career, noting the electric atmosphere and the mental and physical challenges it presented.
"I was feeling the ball really well in the first set, but the second was a grind and I had to dig deep in the third when I was down a break," Norrie told Sky Sports. "It was so, so good.
The atmosphere was fantastic and it tested me in so many ways. These are the kind of matches that can launch you into a great week." Following his victory, Norrie will face either Argentine qualifier Thiago Agustín Tirante, who recently upset 15th‑seeded American Tommy Paul, or another opponent determined by the draw. The Scottish player, who reached the quarter‑finals in Barcelona the week before, is seeking his first progression beyond the third round in Madrid, a milestone that has eluded him in previous editions of the event.
In the women's draw, British hopeful Katie Boulter was unable to join Norrie in the next round. The 29‑year‑old was dispatched in straight sets, 6‑4, 6‑4, by fifth‑seed Jessica Pegula.
Boulter had accompanied her fiancé, Australian star Alex de Minaur, onto the court after his own disappointing loss to Spanish youngster Rafael Jodar. Although she fought valiantly, the double defeat was a bitter pill for the couple on a day that promised more optimism. The Madrid Open also featured several headline‑making performances. World No.
1 Jannik Sinner rallied from a set down to defeat France’s Benjamin Bonzi 6‑7 (6‑8), 6‑1, 6‑4, marking his 18th consecutive victory after triumphs at Indian Wells, the Miami Open, and the Monte Carlo Masters. Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion, overcame a shaky start to beat Romania’s Elena Gabriela Ruse 4‑6, 6‑3, 7‑5.
Coco Gauff also advanced comfortably, dispatching Leolia Jeanjean 6‑3, 6‑0 to move into the third round. For fans eager to follow the action, live coverage of both the ATP and WTA tours is available on Sky Sports, as well as via the NOW streaming service and the Sky Sports app. Subscribers can enjoy more than 50 percent additional live sport this year at no extra charge.
To access the most seamless viewing experience, users are encouraged to browse with a Chrome browser, which provides an optimized video player. Overall, the day in Madrid highlighted the depth of talent across both tours, with seasoned veterans and rising stars delivering high‑quality tennis. Norrie's gritty win underscores his growing confidence on clay, while Boulter’s loss serves as a reminder of the fine margins at this elite level.
As the tournament progresses, spectators can anticipate further thrilling matchups, potential upsets, and the continued pursuit of the coveted Madrid Open title.