Champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka through in Madrid Open

Defending champions Carlos Alcaraz (20) and Aryna Sabalenka (25) secured victories in their opening matches in Madrid on Friday to advance to the third round.

Alcaraz marked his return after an absence with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 win against Alexander Shevchenko. On the other hand, Sabalenka toughed it out in a three-set battle against Magda Linette.

Alcaraz, currently ranked third globally in the men's category, impressed on the clay court despite a recent arm issue that compelled him to withdraw from previous tournaments.

Expressing his satisfaction with the results, Alcaraz shared, "It was challenging for me given the uncertainties I faced during my recovery period. The primary goal today was to assess my condition during a demanding match."

Maintaining his form, the two-time Grand Slam champion quickly seized the initiative in the first set by securing an early break.

He continued to dominate, gaining a second break to establish a 4-1 lead. Alcaraz displayed his aggressive style of play, showcasing his skill and talent on the court.

Despite facing an opponent trying to rally back, he managed to secure crucial breaks to claim victory in two sets. His strong performance sets him up for a third-round clash against Thiago Seyboth Wild.

Elsewhere, Sabalenka showed her resilience on the court, battling through a testing match to advance. In the men's category, Andrey Rublev broke a losing streak with a convincing win over Facundo Bagnis.

Rublev expressed his satisfaction with his performance and the feeling of starting with a win after a disappointing first-round exit in Barcelona, where he lost his temper and destroyed his racquet.

Hubert Hurkacz showcased his power with nine aces as he defeated Jack Draper 6-1, 7-5. In the women's draw, Sabalenka narrowly defeated Linette 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Despite struggling since her Australian Open victory, Sabalenka managed to secure the win and will now face Robin Montgomery in the third round.

Elena Rybakina also had a comfortable victory over Lucia Bronzetti, winning 6-4, 6-3. She will face Mayar Sherif in the next round.

Unfortunately, Zheng Qinwen retired from her match against Yulia Putintseva due to a thigh injury, with Putintseva leading 7-5, 2-0.