By MARK REY MONTEJO
Alex Eala gave reigning champion Iga Swiatek a big scare before losing steam in the Mutua Madrid Open, yielding to the Polish star, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, in their second-round duel at Mutua Madrid Open in Spain early Friday, April 25 (Manila time).
Eala, who was oozing with grit and confidence early on against the mighty Swiatek, slowly faded in the second and third sets, with the latter showing off the talent that made her the world No. 2 player and assuring there wouldn’t be another upset loss to the Filipina ace.
Last month, the five-time Grand Slam champion bowed to Eala in the Miami Open quarterfinals, 2-6, 5-7.
Swiatek is now moving to the third round where she awaits her next opponent.
Last edition, Swiatek claimed the crown after beating Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in the final, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6.
Prior to her exit, Eala, on the other hand, cruised past Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova, 6-3, 6-2, in the first round of the tournament she participated in for three straight years.
It was a smooth-sailing ride for the Filipina netter in the opening set where she went off to a 5-2 lead, with Swiatek unable to find her rhythm with plenty of unforced errors in her first match of the tournament after earning an opening round bye.
Despite some tense moments to start the second set, Swiatek roared back and this time attacked the world No. 72 with better precision, finally regaining the groove which she continued in the third for a hard-fought victory.
