Iga Swiatek equals Serena Williams record after beating Linda Noskova in the third round of the Madrid Open

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Iga Swiatek has continued her title defence at the Madrid Open after beating Linda Noskova.

Swiatek beat Aryna Sabalenka to win the Madrid Open last year, in a final that was voted the WTA match of the year in 2024.

However, there have been some questions over Swiatek recently after suffering some surprise losses.

One of those losses came at the Miami Open, but Swiatek got revenge over Alexandra Eala in her opening match in Madrid before playing Noskova.

Iga Swiatek equals Serena Williams record after Madrid Open win

Noskova is another player that has previously caused Swiatek problems, having beaten her at the Australian Open last year.

However, that was not the case in Madrid with Swiatek beating Noskova, 6-4 6-2, to continue her title defence.

This was Swiatek’s 15th match win at the Madrid Open, and she has been able to achieve that fear in just 17 matches.

The only player to match Swiatek’s record is Serena Williams, who won two Madrid Open titles in her career.

Swiatek has only ever lost two matches at the Madrid Open against Ash Barty in 2021 and the aforementioned Sabalenka in the 2023 final.

Iga Swiatek has the highest win percentage at WTA 1000 events on clay

Not only has Swiatek been impressing at the Madrid Open, but at WTA 1000 clay court tournaments in general.

After beating Noskova, it was revealed that Swiatek has the highest winning percentage (89.7%) at clay court tournaments of this calibre.

There are two WTA 1000 level tournaments on clay, the Madrid Open and the Italian Open, both events which Swiatek has previously won.

While Swiatek has matched Serena Williams’ record in Madrid, it is actually the Italian Open that is her more successful tournament with three titles to her name.

These tournaments have helped Swiatek win Roland Garros in four of the past five years.

Swiatek will look to continue her impressive record on clay when she plays 13th seed Diana Shnaider on Monday April 27.