Swiatek defeats Eala, advances at Madrid Open

Defending Madrid Open champion Iga Swiatek overcame a challenging start to defeat rising teenage star Alexandra Eala 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, avenging her previous loss to Eala at the Miami Open. Eala, who recently reached the Miami semifinals and broke into the top 100, started strong by taking the first set and breaking Swiatek early in both the first and second sets. Swiatek, a four-time French Open winner, struggled initially but found her rhythm on clay, ultimately dominating the third set to secure victory. Swiatek emphasized the importance of staying focused and adapting her game to clay, where she feels she has an advantage. The win advances Swiatek to the third round, where she will face Linda Noskova. Eala's continued strong performances highlight her emergence as a notable talent on the women's tour.