A DREAM rematch between rising star Alex Eala and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek is officially set.
The 19-year-old Filipina secured her spot in the round of 64 against Swiatek after defeating world No. 64 Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria, 6-3, 6-2, in her WTA 1000 Madrid Open debut on Tuesday night (Manila time).
Eala gained momentum midway through the first set, breaking away from a 2-2 first-set tie by winning three straight games and never looking back to easily hurdle her opening assignment at the Manolo Santana Stadium.
With a breezy win wrapped up in just over an hour, Eala advanced to the second round where she will meet Swiatek – one of three top seeds she ousted in a breakthrough run to the semifinals of the Miami Open last month.
Swiatek, however, will be tougher to beat this time, being more comfortable on clay. The 23-year old Poland native has won the French Open four times and is the defending champion in Madrid, where she beat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the finals.
