Jannik Sinner, the world's top-ranked player, secured a straightforward 6-2, 7-5 win over Britain's Cam Norrie, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Mutua Madrid Open. The first set was marked by unforced errors from both players, but Sinner broke Norrie twice to take control.
In the second set, Norrie staged a comeback, taking a 4-3 lead, but Sinner's superior skill ultimately prevailed, as he broke Norrie at 5-5 and held serve to win. Sinner will face 19-year-old Rafael Jodar in the quarterfinals, after Jodar impressed the home crowd with a 7-5, 6-0 victory over Vit Kopriva.
Norrie, meanwhile, returns to the world's top 20 for the first time since 2024. Sinner expressed his surprise at the early start time, stating, 'I don't know when I last played at 11.' He emphasized that the scheduling could be improved, suggesting that playing two matches from 8 pm is too late. Sinner reflected on his victory over Norrie, saying, 'We know each other well, and I felt like I served well in key moments.' He also acknowledged the challenges of playing on the Madrid surface, which can be tough to read.
Sinner is pleased to have reached the quarterfinals in a tournament he hasn't played often, and he's happy to have won in two sets.