Swiatek overcomes first-set stunner from Eala, while Gauff and keys edge through to round three.
Iga Swiatek’s Madrid Open title defence nearly ended before it began. The world number two was forced to dig deep to see off teenage prodigy Alexandra Eala in a gripping three-set battle, eventually triumphing 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday.
The 19-year-old Filipina, ranked 72nd, stunned Swiatek by snatching the first set—a repeat of her straight-sets win over the Pole in Miami just weeks earlier. Under the hot Madrid sun, Eala’s fearless approach and resilient serving rattled the four-time French Open champion, who struggled with rhythm and timing.
“It wasn’t easy to get into the rhythm and the right timing,” admitted Swiatek to Spanish broadcaster TVE. “I’m happy that I was just patient.”
From the outset, Eala dictated terms. She broke Swiatek in the opening game, saved multiple break points with gutsy shot-making, and then broke to love to take a commanding 5-2 lead. Although Swiatek clawed one break back, Eala coolly closed out the set on her third set point, capitalising on a long backhand from her opponent.
The statistics painted a telling picture—Swiatek converted just one of six break points in the first set, while Eala seized both of hers with clinical precision.
The second set started in similar fashion, Eala breaking first and threatening another upset. But Swiatek, known for her dominance on clay, quickly responded. When the teenager led 3-2, the reigning champion broke back and began tightening her game. Errors reduced, depth increased, and she took control—breaking to love in the tenth game to level the match.
“I felt like I was making too many errors from everything,” Swiatek told reporters. “There wasn’t one specific adjustment—just playing more balls in and reducing the unforced errors.”
The decider saw Swiatek at her best. She broke Eala twice, raced to a 5-1 lead, and although the teenager clawed one break back and saved a match point, the Polish star eventually sealed victory when Eala sent a forehand long.
Swiatek, who now faces Czech talent Linda Noskova in round three, praised the crowd and her past success in Madrid. “I always love playing here. I’m proud of my performances in the last two years.”
Elsewhere, American stars Coco Gauff and Madison Keys also advanced in matches full of drama.
Gauff, seeded fourth, staged a gritty comeback against Dayana Yastremska, eventually prevailing 0-6, 6-2, 7-5. After being bageled in the first set, Gauff bounced back, only to falter again as she wasted three match points and was broken while serving for the match. But she held her nerve, broke again for 6-5, and finally sealed it on her fourth match point. She now faces fellow American Ann Li in the next round.
Keys, fresh from her Australian Open triumph, produced a controlled display to dispatch Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti 6-4, 6-3. The fifth seed’s power and consistency proved too much, setting up a third-round encounter with Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya.
In an all-Latvian clash, Anastasija Sevastova ousted 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 7-6(2), 6-2. The result adds another twist to an already unpredictable women’s draw—Ostapenko had beaten Swiatek just a week ago in Stuttgart.
With high seeds under pressure and fearless teenagers making their mark, the Madrid Open is delivering early thrills—and the biggest names know they can’t afford a slow start.
