By TennisTracker | April 24, 2025
Swiatek Survives Early Scare to Advance
Iga Swiatek was forced to dig deep in Madrid as she rallied from a set and a break down to defeat Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala in the second round of the Madrid Open. The world number two recovered from a rocky start to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on the Spanish clay, avenging her surprising loss to Eala in Miami last month.
Eala, just 19 years old, came into the match with momentum and confidence after her previous upset and looked poised to repeat history when she took the opening set with aggressive shot-making and calm under pressure. Swiatek, meanwhile, looked out of rhythm, committing 25 unforced errors and struggling with her baseline consistency.
Eala Impresses Again but Swiatek Adapts
Early in the second set, the signs were ominous for Swiatek. The five-time Grand Slam champion fell behind a break and appeared rattled by her opponent’s fearlessness. Eala’s court coverage and ability to dictate play disrupted Swiatek’s usual clay-court dominance.
But the defending Madrid champion began to show her championship resolve. Realigning her groundstrokes and stepping inside the baseline more frequently, Swiatek turned the tide. She broke back mid-set and began to dictate rallies with greater power and precision, forcing Eala into more defensive positions.
After leveling the match by taking the second set 6-4, Swiatek found her rhythm and completely controlled the deciding set, eventually sealing the win 6-2.
Post-Match Reflections from Swiatek
Speaking after the match, Swiatek acknowledged the growing buzz around Eala but emphasized her need to stay focused on her own game. “I understand that there’s hype about these young players, but you have got to be focused on yourself,” she told reporters. “Honestly, I didn’t realise it, I had better things to think about.”
The Polish star added that she was pleased with how she responded to adversity and praised her opponent’s development. “She played great again. I had to fight for every point. It wasn’t easy out there, but that’s what makes these matches so satisfying.”
Swiatek’s Clay-Court Season Takes Shape
Swiatek’s win is a timely one, particularly after a disappointing exit in the Stuttgart quarter-finals last week. As the reigning Madrid champion and one of the WTA’s most dominant forces on clay in recent years, she faces the pressure of defending significant ranking points across the European swing.
Her next challenge in Madrid will come in the third round, where she faces either Italy’s Martina Trevisan or Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya. With major events like Rome and Roland Garros looming, Swiatek will be eager to refine her form and build momentum on her favorite surface.
As for Eala, the loss may sting, but her performance confirmed she belongs on the big stage. Expect her to continue rising through the ranks if she keeps delivering this level of tennis against top-tier opponents.
Category: Tennis News, WTA Tour, Madrid Open
Tags: Iga Swiatek, Alexandra Eala, Madrid Open 2025, Swiatek Eala rematch, WTA clay season, Swiatek comeback, women’s tennis, tennis upset, WTA top players, Swiatek Eala rivalry
