Iga Swiatek assesses the conditions in Madrid after narrowly escaping defeat against Alexandra Eala
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek continues her hunt for a first title of the 2025 season after battling past Alexandra Eala in a challenging second-round match at the Madrid Open.
Despite her consistent form this year—reaching the quarterfinals in all six tournaments she’s entered—Swiatek is still chasing her first trophy of the season. Her most recent setback came in Stuttgart, where she suffered a sixth career loss to Jelena Ostapenko.
Hard-Fought Victory in Madrid
In her Madrid opener, Swiatek faced another tough opponent in Eala, who had already beaten her earlier this year in Miami. Eala looked on course for another upset after taking the first set and going up a break in the second. But Swiatek showed resilience, rallying to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 and book her spot in the third round.
The win marked Swiatek’s 55th consecutive opening-round victory on the WTA Tour.
Swiatek: ‘These Courts Are Pretty Fast’
Speaking after the match, Swiatek assessed the playing conditions in Madrid, which she says differ notably from previous years.
“The conditions are different from last year—about 10 degrees warmer—so the game changes a bit,” she explained.
“These courts are pretty fast, not like classic clay where the ball bounces super slow. You have to be smart with your tactics—sometimes use spin, sometimes hit flatter to keep the pace up.”
Swiatek added that her topspin could work in her favor but emphasized the importance of strategic variety.
“I’m going to try to balance that in the next matches, and I’m happy I get to play more matches in front of the fans here.”
Despite her slow start, the Polish star remained composed.
“It wasn’t easy to find rhythm or timing early on, so I’m proud I stayed patient,” she said. “I always love playing here, and I’m proud of my performances in the last two years.”
Swiatek to Face Noskova in Next Round
Next up for Swiatek is a clash with 20-year-old Linda Noskova, who advanced by defeating Maria Lourdes Carle 7-5, 6-1.
The matchup promises fireworks, with Swiatek holding a 4–1 head-to-head lead. The two have played five times, including three matches where Swiatek had to come back from a set down.
Swiatek vs. Noskova – Head-to-Head Record:
| Tournament | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Qatar Open (3R) | Swiatek | 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2024 Miami Open (3R) | Swiatek | 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2024 Indian Wells (3R) | Swiatek | 6-4, 6-0 |
| 2024 Australian Open (3R) | Noskova | 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2023 Warsaw (QF) | Swiatek | 6-1, 6-4 |
Noskova’s only win over the five-time Grand Slam champion came in a dramatic three-setter at the 2024 Australian Open, marking her first-ever victory over a world No. 1.
“Linda is a great player and I have huge respect for her,” Swiatek said. “We always have great matches, so I’ll just focus on my game and hope it’s a good show for the fans.”
The pair will face off for a sixth time on Friday, April 25, with a spot in the Madrid Open fourth round on the line.
