Alex Eala falls to Iga Swiatek in three sets at Madrid Open

Tennis – Madrid Open – Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain – April 24, 2025 Philippines’ Alexandra Eala in action during her round of 64 match against Poland’s Iga Swiatek REUTERS/Juan Medina

Filipino tennis star Alex Eala, this time, fell short to four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek in three sets, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, at the Madrid Open 2025 second round.

READ: On clay, Iga Swiatek answers the Alex Eala challenge

Eala stunned Swiatek in straight sets in what was the biggest win of her young career as part of her Miami Open dream run last month, but was unable to repeat against the World No. 2 despite a strong start.

Eala now ranked World No. 72, looked poised to do it again and led by a set before Swiatek, the defending champion in Madrid, cleaned up her act to avoid an early exit in the WTA 1000 event.

“It wasn’t easy to get into the rhythm and the right timing and I’m happy that I was just patient,” Swiatek told Spanish broadcaster TVE. “I always love playing here, for sure I’m proud of my performances in the last two years.”

READ: Alex Eala eyes improvement on clay ahead of French Open

Tennis – Madrid Open – Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain – April 24, 2025 Poland’s Iga Swiatek reacts during her round of 64 match against Philippines’ Alexandra Eala. REUTERS/Juan Medina

Just like in Miami, Eala also entered the tournament in Madrid as a wild card.

But Eala made Swiatek sweat again, breaking the five-time Grand Slam champion in the first game and produced two battling holds on her first two service games, saving two break points in each as the Pole hunted for a way back in.

The exciting Filipina saved another break point in the sixth game before breaking Swiatek to love for a 5-2 lead in the Madrid sun.

READ: Alex Eala officially earns spot in 2025 French Open main draw

Swiatek, a clay court expert, recovered a break but Eala was able to serve out her advantage, capturing her third set point when the sent a backhand long.

Swiatek only converted one of six first-set break points against the resilient Eala, who won both of hers.

The teenager again broke in the first game of the second set, but this time Swiatek was able to respond immediately.

Tennis – Madrid Open – Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain – April 24, 2025 Philippines’ Alexandra Eala reacts during her round of 64 match against Poland’s Iga Swiatek REUTERS/Juan Medina

When Eala broke again for a 3-2 lead, Swiatek followed suit to get back on serve, raising her level towards the end of the second set force a decider.

Despite the loss, Eala remains the first Filipino to have ever won a match in the Madrid Open, achieving it for the first time in 2024.

READ: Alex Eala relishes monumental win vs idol Iga Swiatek

She once again got off to a winning start this year, ousting World No. 64, Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria, 6-3, 6-2, in her opening match on Tuesday.

Before the match, the 19-year-old Rafa Academy product spoke about facing Swiatek again.

“Iga is spectacular. She pushes you to the limit. I love her intensity and her footwork, it’s something I want to look at more to see how I can learn,” Eala told the Mutua Madrid Open website.

The Madrid Open is Eala’s second tournament on clay as she gears up for the French Open, where she is seeing action in the main draw for the first time.