Day 4 at the WTA Mutua Madrid Open turns to second-round play on Madrid’s high-altitude clay, where movement, stamina and the faster bounce can separate even well-matched players. One of the more watchable pairings is Karolina Pliskova against Maria Sakkari, with the edge going to Pliskova in three sets.
Pliskova had to fight back from a set down against a qualifier in the first round, a reminder that even in Madrid the margins are thin. She also has a strong record at the event, including a semifinal run, and she holds a slight edge in the head-to-head with Sakkari after winning their last meeting on clay.
Sakkari brings the sort of intensity that can make her difficult to face, and her clay results across her career have been solid. But her season has been uneven, and movement has sometimes let her down in longer matches. That is part of what makes this one close enough to justify a three-set call, even with Pliskova’s history in Madrid and the recent clay result between them.
The broader second-round slate also offers a few clear reads. Katerina Siniakova is projected to get past Clara Tauson in two sets as Tauson eases back into competition after time away because of injury. Sorana Cirstea, who has put together a strong 2026 with a title win and consistent results, is favored in two against Alycia Grant. Elena-Gabriela Ruse, who already earned her place in the round, has enough clay pedigree to stay relevant, but Elena Rybakina arrives with stronger recent form and a title on clay, making her the pick in two.
Madrid tends to reward players who can solve the altitude before it solves them. On this surface, the names with cleaner movement and recent confidence usually move on, and that is why Pliskova, Siniakova, Cirstea and Rybakina all look set up well as the second round takes shape.