Alex Eala falls short against Iga Swiatek to end Madrid Open run

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

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala fell short against world no. 2 Iga Swiatek, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the Round of 64 of the Madrid Open in Spain.

The two players were tied 4-4 in the second set before Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion, flexed her might on the clay court.

After claiming the second set, the Polish player had an early 3-0 lead in the deciding set before Eala broke the scoring drought.

Swiatek, however, quickly bounced back and notched back-to-back games and claim a 5-1 lead.

Eala still tried to salvage the match as she led 40-15 in the seventh game before Swiatek recovered and tied the game. The 19-year old then powered through to inch closer, 5-2.

The two players were neck-and-neck in the final game with Eala and Swiatek being tied at 40-all before the Polish player survived Eala's late rally.

Prior to this, Eala defeated Bulgaria's Viktoriya Tomova, 6-3, 6-2, in the Round of 128.

Eala and Swiatek also previously met in the Miami Open where the former pulled off an upset to advance to the semifinals. However, Eala fell to eventual finalist Jessica Pegula.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News

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