Rafa Nadal suffered his first claycourt defeat in 23 matches on Thursday and threatened to boycott next year's Madrid Open.
Roger Federer had to use all his guile and experience to battle back from a set down and see off fast-rising Canadian Milos Raonic 4-6 7-5 7-6 in the Madrid Open second round on Wednesday.
Defending champion Petra Kvitova was upset by qualifier and Czech compatriot Lucie Hradecka 6-4 6-3 in the second round of the Madrid Open Wednesday.
Chinese number eight seed Li Na had to work hard on Wednesday before beating German Angelique Kerber 7-5, 6-4 in the last 16 of the Madrid Open.
World number one Novak Djokovic lashed out at Madrid Open organisers and the ATP over the event's controversial blue clay courts after fighting off Spanish qualifier Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-2 2-6 6-3 in the second round on Tuesday.
Top seeds Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova breezed past Czech opponents into the Madrid Open third round on Tuesday along with former world number one Serena Williams.
Victoria Azarenka will arrive for the London Olympics with her eyes on a gold medal rather than swapping pins.
A two-week break following the death of his grandfather has allowed Novak Djokovic to regain his focus in time to defend his Madrid Open title this week, the world number one said on Monday.
China's Li Na sailed to the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open on Monday night after clinching a comfortable 6-3, 6-1 win over Silvia Soler-Espinosa.
Serena Williams marked her first European appearance of the season with victory on the Madrid Open's striking blue clay courts on Monday, but her sister Venus crashed out in the second round.
Blue clay courts at the Madrid Masters hold no fears for former champion Roger Federer, with the confident Swiss insisting on Sunday he will be ready for any conditions when he begins play in the second round.
In fine fettle after a month-long rest, Roger Federer is ready to get his clay season underway and continue his bid to recapture the world number one ranking from Novak Djokovic.
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