By: Kwame Bediako
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek avoided another stunning loss to Alexandra Eala at the Mutua Madrid Open, coming from a set and a break deficit to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. The match was a thrilling encounter, with Swiatek struggling to find her rhythm in the first set.
She racked up 25 unforced errors, losing serve four times and trailing Eala 6-4, 3-2. However, the defending champion showed her resilience and determination, cleaning up her game and finding her way through a pulsating comeback.
The first hour of the match looked like a carbon copy of Eala’s upset win over Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open last month. Eala dominated the first set, winning two-thirds of her points off Swiatek’s mistakes. The young Filipino player seemed to be on the verge of pulling off another stunning upset, but Swiatek’s experience and skill eventually paid off.
Swiatek’s turnaround was remarkable, as she reduced her unforced errors and started to play more aggressively. She hit 29 winners in the second and third sets, including some crucial shots that turned the momentum in her favor. Despite making 57 unforced errors in total, Swiatek’s patience and determination ultimately paid off, as she won the match in two hours and 15 minutes.
After the match, Swiatek admitted that she struggled to adapt to the conditions, despite being 13-2 in Madrid in her career entering the match. She credited her patience and ability to stay focused for her comeback win. Swiatek’s experience and skill ultimately gave her the edge she needed to overcome Eala’s challenge.
With this win, Swiatek advances to the next round of the Mutua Madrid Open, where she will face another tough opponent. The defending champion will look to build on her momentum and defend her title, as she aims to maintain her position as one of the top players in the world.
