Alex Eala is off to a flying start in the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open, sweeping a higher-ranked Victoriya Tomova in the Round of 128.
It was a rousing start at the Spanish capital for one Alex Eala.
Eala opened her 2025 Mutua Madrid Open campaign on a blazing note, turning back world no. 64 Viktoriya Tomova in the Round of 128 in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 Wednesday (PH time).
Eala broke Tomova's serve six times during the match, with the Bulgarian committing 26 errors. Eala won 68 points and sealed the 77-minute victory with a backhand winner.
The world no. 72 is coming off an early exit at the 2025 Oeiras Open in Portugal last week, eliminated in the second round despite being the top seed.
Up next for the Filipina rising star is a much-anticipated rematch with world no. 2 and reigning Madrid champion Iga Swiatek in the Round of 64.
As the no. 2 seed, Swiatek earned first-round bye before now taking on Eala at a more-favored clay court surface, where the 23-year-old Polish star dominates.
The showdown at Madrid will only be the second encounter between Eala and Swiatek, following the Filipina's stunning victory in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open last month.
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