The Madrid Open is one of the most prestigious tournaments outside of the Grand Slams and an important clay-court event in the build-up to the French Open, which starts on 28 May. However, Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina suffered a surprise defeat to Russia's Anna Kalinskaya.
There were fewer concerns for women's top seed Iga Swiatek, who won 6-3 6-2 against Austria's Julia Grabher.