Defending champion Iga Swiatek avoided a second loss to Alexandra Eala in a WTA 1000 event in as many months with a three-set comeback at the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday, coming from a set and a break down to top the teenager from the Philippines, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Swiatek lost in a surprising straight sets to Eala in the quarterfinals in Miami, and in Madrid, she looked on course for another stunner as she fell behind a set and a break, 6-4, 3-2. But this time, the World No. 2 steadied, and won five consecutive games from 4-4 in the second set before finishing off the comeback in 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Swiatek avoided her earliest loss at a WTA 1000 event in nearly four years, having last lost in the second round of a tournament of this magnitude at the 2021 Cincinnati Open. She has won 58 consecutive opening matches at Hologic WTA Tour events, including the United Cup and WTA Finals, dating back to a first round-robin loss to Maria Sakkari at the 2021 year-end championships.
"It wasn't easy to get into the rhythm and feel the right timing, so I'm happy that I was just patient," Swiatek said post-match.
Swiatek made 25 of her 57 unforced errors in the match in the first set, and ended the contest with 40 total winners. She cleaned up her serve -- she won 85% of points on her first serve after failing to crack 60% in either of the first two sets -- and return, too, eventually breaking Eala seven times on 16 opportunities.
Reflecting on the rematch afterwards, Eala confessed: "I’m happy with the match, happy with how I competed," she said. "Obviously up a set and a break is a good situation to be in, but you have to remember that there’s another person on the other side of the court. More so, a multiple Roland Garros champion. She did well also … Things to take back and to learn.
"What was different [between Madrid and Miami] was that, in my opinion, was that she executed better in the important moments, and she had a little higher level than me in specific moments of the match."
Bidding to reach her first final of the season, Swiatek will next face another opponent who has troubled her in the past: No. 31 seed Linda Noskova. Though Swiatek has won three straight meetings against Noskova since losing to her at last year's Australian Open, two of those matches have gone three sets.
Can't remember the last time I've seen Iga make 57 unforced errors on clay.
Once she remembered to be more patient and work the point instead of going for out right winners the match slowly turned around and it was Eala who started to feel the pressure.
In the end it was really Iga's experience on clay that won her the match I think (coming back from a break down twice in the 2nd set).
A lot of people were panicking online during and after this match, while I couldn't help but think that maybe Iga just had a tough time getting used to the different conditions going from indoor to outdoor in altitude.
She kept changing her racquet and sending them off to the stringer unhappy with the tension
So I think it was just getting used to the different conditions in a match setting more then anything else.
Plus playing on a hot day vs practicing in cooler conditions would definitely change the trajectory of the ball as well. And thus it took her some getting used to.
Iga wasn't alone with her struggles either Gauff got bagelled in her first set before winning. So this gives me hope for Iga's next outing.
Sometimes winning ugly like this can give you more confidence going forward because you've survived playing at your worst and have another opportunity to do better.
I have a feeling that's exactly how Iga's next match will go.
Of course she'll be playing the tricky Linda Noskova in their first meeting on clay, but if Iga stays calm and trusts her game and skills on this surface all will be well.
Linda isn't as good on clay as she is on other surfaces so Iga can use that to her advantage.
Playing at night which is sure to have slower conditions will also be an advantage for Iga giving her more time on the ball.
Jazda Iga, believe in yourself as your fans continue to believe in you.
You've got this!.
Stat of the season
Most consecutive tournaments without losing the opening match this century:
55* - Iga Swiatek (Adelaide 2022-Madrid 2025)
51 - Kim Clijsters (Montreal 2002-Hasselt 2005)
The incredible streak is still alive!
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