Iga Swiatek admits what Alexandra Eala did in their Miami Open quarter-final which took her by complete surprise

Iga Świątek Stunned by Alexandra Eala in Miami Open Quarter-Finals

By Matthew Johns | March 27, 2025 | UK

World No.2 Iga Świątek suffered a shocking defeat at the Miami Open quarter-finals against Alexandra Eala, ranked No.140, in one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 season.

Świątek had been in dominant form throughout the tournament, winning all her previous matches in straight sets. However, the young wildcard Eala, who had already defeated Madison Keys and Jelena Ostapenko, delivered an inspired performance to claim a 6-2, 7-5 victory.

Świątek Admits Eala Caught Her Off Guard

In her post-match press conference, Świątek revealed she was surprised by Eala’s aggressive style of play.

“I didn’t expect her to play that flat,” Świątek admitted. “She was really aggressive, stayed focused, and hit some incredible shots. Even when I thought I had control, she found a way to push back, and it worked for her today.”

Although Świątek led 4-2 in the second set, she was unable to maintain momentum. When asked if she thought she was regaining control, she responded:

“I wasn’t really thinking about her. I was just happy to feel a bit better physically, but I couldn’t hold onto it.”

A Rare Defeat for Świątek

This marks only the third time in her career that Świątek has lost to a player ranked outside the top 100 in the main draw of a WTA event:

Świątek Turns Focus to Clay Court Season

Following her early exit from the Sunshine Double, Świątek now shifts her attention to the clay court season. The four-time Roland Garros champion is set to compete next at the Stuttgart Open, where she has previously won two titles.