MADRID — This time, Iga Swiatek had the solutions towards teenage sensation Alexandra Eala.
After a quarterfinal loss to the rising star from the Philippines final month in Miami, Swiatek rallied to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory within the second spherical of the Madrid Open on Thursday.
The second-ranked Swiatek, who’s the defending Madrid champion, is attempting to succeed in her first remaining of the season.
“On clay I really feel like I’ve slightly bit extra benefit typically within the conditions, the place Alexandra may take extra benefit on sooner laborious courts,” stated Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion. “I perceive that there is hype about these younger gamers, however you bought to be targeted on your self.”
The 19-year-old Eala, a product of Rafael Nadal’s academy, defeated Swiatek in straight units throughout her breakthrough run in Miami.
Eala broke Swiatek’s serve early and cruised to victory within the first set on the Caja Magica heart court docket, however the former No. 1 regained her management for the remainder of the match, benefiting from a letdown by her younger opponent.
“From the start I did not play easily, however I managed to unravel some issues,” Swiatek stated.
Swiatek has made three semifinal appearances this 12 months, together with on the Australian Open and Indian Wells. She misplaced her second match in Stuttgart final week, falling to Jelena Ostapenko in three units.
Earlier than beating Swiatek in Miami, the left-handed Eala had defeated two different Grand Slam winners: Ostapenko and Madison Keys. Her run ended within the semifinals with a loss to Jessica Pegula.
The last-four look in Miami allowed Eala to develop into the primary participant from the Philippines to be ranked inside the highest 100. She is presently No. 72.
Coco Gauff acquired off to a poor begin however got here again to defeat Dayana Yastremska 0-6, 6-2, 7-5 in a second-round match.
It was solely the second time Gauff gained after dropping the primary set 6-0 in WTA-level occasions. She had executed it towards Elise Mertens 4 years in the past.
The fourth-ranked Gauff wants two extra victories to succeed in the quarterfinals for her greatest look in 5 outings in Madrid. She’s going to subsequent face fellow American Ann Li, who defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Australian Open champion Madison Keys, who reached the semifinals in Madrid final 12 months, began 2-0 down however eased to a 6-4, 6-4 victory towards Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti.
Earlier Thursday, world No. 7 Mirra Andreeva, who will flip 18 on Tuesday, reached the third spherical by defeating Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-4, whereas Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia rallied to beat Bernarda Pera 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.
American Katie Volynets misplaced 6-1, 6-2 to Diana Shnaider, and countrywoman Emma Navarro gained 7-5, 7-5 towards Maya Joint.
On the boys’s aspect, former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori defeated Aleksandar Vukic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 for his 450th tour-level win. The Sixty fourth-ranked Japanese participant was a 2014 finalist in Madrid.
“I had no thought,” Nishikori, 35, stated about his milestone. “I simply attempt to play one match at a time. It is rather a lot, sure. … I’ve performed for 18 years now. Hopefully I can attain 500 [wins].”
He’ll play 29-seed Denis Shapovalov within the second spherical.
Joao Fonseca, the 18-year-old Brazilian who has develop into a sensation on tour this 12 months, defeated Elmer Moller 6-2, 6-3 to arrange a second-round assembly towards Eleventh-seeded Tommy Paul.
Fonseca will go for his third top-20 victory. He defeated No. 9 Andrey Rublev on the Australian Open and No. 20 Ugo Humbert in Miami.
David Goffin needed to retire whereas dropping 1-0 within the third set towards Alexandre Muller, whereas Lorenzo Sonego beat Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4, 7-6 (5).
Third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the event Thursday, citing muscle accidents.
