From a set and a break down, Swiatek escapes Eala in Madrid – WTA

Defending champion Iga Swiatek avoided a second loss to Alexandra Eala in a WTA 1000 event in as many months with a three-set comeback at the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday, coming from a set and a break down to top the teenager from the Philippines, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. Madrid: Draws | Scores | Order of play | Tournament info Swiatek lost in a surprising straight sets to Eala in the quarterfinals in Miami, and in Madrid, she looked on course for another stunner as she fell behind a set and a break, 6-4, 3-2. But this time, the World No. 2 steadied, and won five consecutive games from 4-4 in the second set before finishing off the comeback in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Swiatek avoided her earliest loss at a WTA 1000 event in nearly four years, having last lost in the second round of a tournament of this magnitude at the 2021 Cincinnati Open. She has won 58 consecutive opening matches at Hologic WTA Tour events, including the United Cup and WTA Finals, dating back to a first round-robin loss to Maria Sakkari at the 2021 year-end championships. “It wasn’t easy to get into the rhythm and feel the right timing, so I’m happy
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