The night session on Day 3 at the Mutua Madrid Open delivered contrasting storylines. Between Jannik Sinner's scare and Rafael Jodar's demolition job, the Caja Mágica buzzed deep into the Madrid night.
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Sinner survives early scare
The world number one endured a testing debut. Benjamin Bonzi came out swinging from the start, pushing Sinner to a first-set tie-break which the Frenchman won 8-6. The Italian, clearly not yet in full gear, then shifted into a higher level across the next two sets (6-1, 6-4), capitalising on a costly Bonzi double fault to break for 3-1 in the second set.
Sinner extends his historic run to 23 consecutive wins at Masters 1000 events and is chasing a fifth straight title in this category — a feat never accomplished since the format's inception in 1990. He will face Danish qualifier Elmer Moller in the third round.
Jodar demolishes De Minaur
Rafael Jodar keeps writing his hometown fairytale. The 19-year-old Madrid wild card dismantled Alex De Minaur, world number eight and fifth seed, 6-3, 6-1 in just 75 minutes. Jodar struck with remarkable power and accuracy off both wings, giving the Australian no room to breathe. It was the first top-10 victory of his young career.
The Madrilenian, who grew up just twelve kilometres from the Caja Mágica, will next face another prodigy from his generation: Brazilian Joao Fonseca, also 19, in a clash between the two youngest players inside the top 100.
Lehecka battles back against Tabilo
Jiri Lehecka, the eleventh seed, needed three sets to overcome Chile's Alejandro Tabilo (3-6, 7-6, 6-4). A set down and broken early in the second, the Czech dug deep to turn the match around and secure his spot in the third round.
Arthur Fils also advanced through three tight sets against Ignacio Buse (6-7, 7-6, 7-5), while Tomas Martin Etcheverry dispatched Sebastian Ofner in straight sets (6-4, 6-4).
