Alex Eala will face her toughest test on clay, taking on defending Madrid Open champion and world no. 2 Iga Swiatek in a highly-anticipated rematch.
Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala faces her biggest challenge yet on clay as she takes on world no. 2 Iga Swiatek in a blockbuster Round of 64 showdown at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open — the first of two WTA 1000 tournaments on the red dirt.
This matchup is more than just a test of form and grit — it’s a rematch of one of the most talked-about upsets in recent memory.
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Just last month, Eala stunned the tennis world by defeating Swiatek in straight sets in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open, marking the biggest win of her young career.
Now, the 19-year-old rising star is brimming with confidence after dispatching Viktoriya Tomova, 6-3, 6-2, in the opening round of Madrid. But she knows full well that the challenge ahead is unlike any other.
Swiatek, the defending Madrid champion and one of the most dominant forces on clay, is well-rested after receiving a first-round bye.
With a renewed focus and the sting of that Miami loss still fresh, the Polish ace is expected to come out with fire.
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For Eala, who’s quickly gaining respect on tour and climbing the WTA rankings, this is another chance to prove that her Miami magic wasn’t a fluke — even if this time, the surface plays in Swiatek’s favor.
A win would not only put Eala in the Round of 32 of one of the biggest clay tournaments in the world — it would mark her second career victory over a top-two player and cement her status as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
The Eala-Swiatek rematch is pegged for 8:10 p.m. (PH time).
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]