Friday April 24 shapes up as the first blockbuster day at the 2026 Mutua Madrid Open. The top men's seeds make their tournament debuts, and on the women's side, two second-round clashes promise fireworks on the Caja Mágica clay.
Jannik Sinner opens proceedings on Manolo Santana at 4pm against Benjamin Bonzi. The world No. 1 has not lost a Masters 1000 match since falling to Zverev in Rome last May. Twenty consecutive victories at this level, including titles in Paris-Bercy, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo. On clay, the Italian has transformed his game since working with Darren Cahill: his patience in rallies and ability to vary his tactical patterns have made him a threat on every surface. Bonzi, through qualifying, will need the match of his life to spring an upset.
The most anticipated match of the day could well be Ben Shelton versus Dino Prizmic. Shelton, the fourth seed and Munich champion last Sunday, arrives in Madrid brimming with confidence. Opposite him stands Prizmic, the twenty-year-old Croatian qualifier who dispatched Berrettini in the first round 6-3, 6-4. Both young players embody the next generation: raw power, devastating serves, fearless ambition. Shelton is the favourite, but Prizmic proved this week that nothing intimidates him.
The evening session also promises drama with the clash between Rafael Jódar, the Spanish sensation who thrilled the home crowd in the first round, and Alex de Minaur. The Australian, more comfortable on hard courts, will need to adapt to Madrid's clay against a player riding a wave of home support.
On the WTA side, begins her campaign against Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the morning session. The world No. 2 and Race to Riyadh leader has nothing to prove on clay but is still chasing a first Madrid title. Her firepower and serve quality make her the clear favourite, though Ruse, a clay specialist, will not go quietly.
, the fifth seed, faces Léolia Jeanjean in the mid-afternoon. The American won Stuttgart two weeks ago and arrives in confident form for the clay swing. Jeanjean, a Frenchwoman ranked beyond the top 50, is capable of inspired moments on clay but will need to raise her level significantly to trouble Gauff.
closes the Manolo Santana programme in the evening against Katie Boulter, while Hubert Hurkacz and Lorenzo Musetti face off on Arantxa Sánchez in a stylistic clash between the towering Pole and the Italian artist.
Play begins at 11am across all three show courts.
