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 making an attempt to succeed in her first last of the season.
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, profiting from a letdown by her younger opponent.
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 grow to be the primary participant from the Philippines to be ranked inside the highest 100. She is at present No. 72.
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 received 7-5, 7-5 towards Maya Joint.
On the lads’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 quite a bit, 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.
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.