MADRID, April 25: This time, Iga Swiatek had the answers against teenage sensation Alexandra Eala.
After a quarterfinal loss to the rising star from the Philippines last month in Miami, Swiatek rallied to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory in the second round of the Madrid Open on Thursday.The second-ranked Swiatek, who is the defending Madrid champion, is trying to reach her first final of the season.
The 19-year-old Eala, a product of Rafael Nadal’s academy, defeated Swiatek in straight sets during her breakthrough run in Miami.Eala broke Swiatek’s serve early and cruised to victory in the first set at the Caja Magica center court, but the former No. 1 regained her control for the rest of the match, taking advantage of a letdown by her young opponent.
Swiatek has made three semifinal appearances this year, including at the Australian Open and in Indian Wells. She lost her second match in Stuttgart last week, falling against Jelena Ostapenko in three sets.Before beating Swiatek in Miami, the left-handed Eala had also defeated two other Grand Slam winners – Ostapenko and Madison Keys. Her run ended in the semifinals after a loss to Jessica Pegula. (AP)
