A power outage significantly interrupted play at the Mutua Madrid Open during the women`s Round of 16. As a result, all remaining matches scheduled for Monday were cancelled and postponed until Tuesday.
Reports from media indicated that the widespread power failure might extend nationwide across Spain and potentially affect other parts of Europe, impacting millions. While the initial cause was unknown, early reports cited issues with the European electric grid.
Two women`s fourth-round matches were completed just before the blackout occurred, which began after noon local time.
No. 4 seed Coco Gauff defeated Belinda Bencic 6-4, 6-2, while No. 7 Mirra Andreeva was a 6-1, 6-4 winner over qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Players, including World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, were waiting for their matches or preceding matches to finish when the power failed across the tournament site. Swiatek was reportedly in the darkened players` lounge talking with her team while awaiting the conclusion of a suspended men`s match in Manolo Santana Stadium.
Rupert Caldwell