Poland's top tennis player, Iga Świątek told Polish state news agency PAP that her upcoming match against Russia's 13th-ranked Diana Shnaider will be challenging.
The two have never faced each other before, either in official matches or during training sessions.
"I’ll need to adjust my tactics and watch her matches to prepare, as we've never even practiced together," Świątek said.
"Shnaider is an up-and-coming player, confident in her game, and she has already won several matches in Madrid," she added.
Świątek is defending her title in Madrid, having won the tournament last year with a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 victory over Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
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Source: IAR/PAP/X/@z_kortu