MADRID — This time, Iga Swiatek had the solutions in opposition to 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 achieve her first closing of the season.
“On clay I really feel like I’ve a little bit bit extra benefit typically within the conditions, the place Alexandra might take extra benefit on quicker arduous courts,” the four-time French Open champion mentioned. “I perceive that there’s 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 courtroom, however the former No. 1 regained her management for the remainder of the match, profiting from a letdown by her younger opponent.
“From the start I didn’t play easily, however I managed to unravel some issues,” mentioned the 23-year-old Swiatek, who was a set and a break down earlier than rallying to victory.
Swiatek has made three semifinal appearances this yr, together with on the Australian Open and in Indian Wells. She misplaced her second match in Stuttgart final week, falling in opposition to Jelena Ostapenko in three units.
Earlier than beating Swiatek in Miami, the left-handed Eala had additionally defeated two different Grand Slam winners — Ostapenko and Madison Keys. Her run ended within the semifinals after a loss to Jessica Pegula.
The last-four look in Miami allowed Eala to change into the primary Filipina to be ranked inside the highest 100. She is at present the No. 72.
Gauff recovers from 0-6 begin
Coco Gauff bought 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 shedding the primary set 6-0 in WTA-level occasions. She had carried out it in opposition to Elise Mertens 4 years in the past.
The fourth-ranked Gauff wants two extra victories to achieve the quarterfinals for her finest look in 5 outings in Madrid. She is going to subsequent face fellow American Ann Li, who defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
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 Bia Haddad Maia rallied to beat Bernard 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 in opposition to Maya Joint.
Within the males’s facet, former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori defeated Alexsandar Vukic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 for his 450th tour-level win. The Sixty fourth-ranked Japanese was a 2014 finalist in Madrid.
“I had no concept,” the 35-year-old Nishikori mentioned about his milestone. “I simply attempt to play one match at a time. It’s lots, sure… I’ve performed for 18 years now, hopefully I can attain 500 (wins).”
He’ll play Twenty ninth-seed Denis Shapovalov within the second spherical.
Teenager Fonseca advances
Joao Fonseca, the 18-year-old Brazilian who has change into a sensation on tour this yr, defeated Elmer Moller 6-2, 6-3 on heart courtroom to arrange a second-round assembly in opposition to Eleventh-seeded Tommy Paul.
“I do know it’s going to be a troublesome match,” Fonseca mentioned. “I already practiced with him as soon as. Yeah, excited for the match.”
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 shedding 1-0 within the third set in opposition to Alexandre Muller, whereas Lorenzo Sonego beat Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4, 7-6 (5).
Third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the event on Thursday, citing muscle accidents.
