Ash Barty beats fellow French Open champ Iga Swiatek at Madrid Open to reach quarters
Top-ranked Ashleigh Barty defeated fellow French Open champion Iga Swiatek 7-5 6-4 in their round-of-16 Madrid Open match, a significant statement ahead of Roland Garros.
Barty has been in brilliant form and Swiatek was no match for the Australian world No.1 in their first meeting.
Ashleigh Barty returns a shot in her round of 16 match against Iga Swiatek at the Mutua Madrid Open. Getty
"I said 'Mate, that was fun. It will be the first of many'," Barty said.
"Really enjoyed myself out there tonight. I enjoyed the challenge. Iga's game is exceptional. It's really, really impressive.
"I love testing myself and trying to figure out the puzzle and challenges she created for me."
Spaniard Paula Badosa got past Anastasija Sevastova 6-7 (0) 7-6 (3) 6-0.
Petra Kvitova defeated Veronika Kudermetova 6-3 4-6 6-4, while eighth-seeded Belinda Bencic advanced after Ons Jabeur retired.
Barty will face Kvitova in the quarter-finals.
