2024 Madrid Open Sunday SCHEDULE and PREVIEW featuring ALCARAZ, SABALENKA and RYBAKINA in action

Week One heads towards its conclusion on Sunday at the 2024 Madrid Open with Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina among the leading lights in action in their third round assignments as they aim to reach the Last 16.

Our preview as ever looks ahead to the main matches and talking points as Caja Magica produces yet more standout ties to end your weekend on.

Defending champions return again as Alcaraz and Sabalenka headline

As ever with the draw alternating, the defending champions in Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka are the leading lights on Sunday. The former in particular impressed in a 6-2, 6-1 win over Alexander Shevchenko. Next up is Thiago Seyboth Wild who given his wins over Daniil Medvedev for instance recently has upsets in him. With Alcaraz unlikely to be fully 100%, it could be one on upset watch.

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While Robin Montgomery has impressed. She defeated both Elina Avanesyan and Katie Boulter, two games the rising American wasn't expected to win. But she faces a different proposition in Aryna Sabalenka. She took down players of Montgomery's calibre for fun at the Australian Open and while she might not be the same as back then by her own admission, she is still formidable. Especially considering she weathered a storm against an in-form player in Magda Linette. So either upset watch or a rampant win is very much on the cards.

Elena Rybakina on the other hand will be semi-relieved but also likely ripping up her playbook. The Kazakh who Sabalenka branded alongside Swiatek as the main two right now will face Mayar Sherif. An immediate rematch with Marta Kostyuk was likely on the table. But this didn't transpire and Rybakina who alongside Gauff could usurp Sabalenka this tournament in those top positions will now face the Egyptian. The main stadium slate is rounded off with Alexander Zverev. He faces Denis Shapovalov late with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina facing Andrey Rublev also set.

Stacked Arantxa Sanchez schedule including Andreeva-Vondrousova, Rune, Garcia-Paolini and Paul

But while the main court might be stacked, the Arantxa Sanchez Stadium perhaps gives more ties to watch with Holger Rune who escaped against Mariano Navone facing Tallon Griekspoor. Former Roland Garros finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova faces Daria Kasatkina, magical Mirra Andreeva faces the returning to form Marketa Vondrousova.

As Caroline Garcia will aim to emulate the recent revival of her next opponent in Jasmine Paolini. Tommy Paul rounds proceedings off against Francisco Cerundolo so stacked across the board. Danielle Collins and Taylor Fritz also headline elsewhere with stories wherever you look in Madrid.

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2024 Madrid Open Schedule Sunday 28 April

Manolo Santana Stadium

11:00am

Mayar Sherif (EGY) v (4) Elena Rybakina (KAZ) (WTA)

(7) Andrey Rublev v (27) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) (ATP)

Thiago Seyboth Wild (BRA) v (2) Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) (ATP)

(WC) Robin Montgomery (USA) v (2) Aryna Sabalenka (WTA)

(PR) Denis Shapovalov (CAN) v (4) Alexander Zverev (ATP)

Arantxa Sanchez Stadium

11:00am

(24) Tallon Griekspoor (NED) v (11) Holger Rune (DEN) (ATP)

(20) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova v (10) Daria Kasatkina (WTA)

(7) Marketa Vondrousova v Mirra Andreeva (WTA)

(21) Caroline Garcia (FRA) v (12) Jasmine Paolini (ITA) (WTA)

(15) Tommy Paul (USA) v (21) Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) (ATP)

Stadium 3

11:00am

(13) Ugo Humbert (FRA) v (23) Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) (ATP)

Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) v Caroline Dolehide (USA) (WTA)

(8) Hubert Hurkacz (POL) v Daniel Altmaier (GER) (ATP)

(18) Sebastian Baez (ARG) v (12) Taylor Fritz (USA) (ATP)

(13) Danielle Collins (USA) v (Q) Jaqueline Cristian (ROU) (WTA)

Stadium 4

Ashlyn Krueger (USA) v Sara Bejlek (CZE) (WTA)