Madrid – This time, Iga Swiatek had the answer to the teenage sense Alexandra Eala.
After losing in the quarterfinals from the Philippines to a rising star in Miami last month, Sweet won 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round of the Madrid Open on Thursday.
Madrid’s second-ranked champion Swiatek is about to reach the first final of the season.
Rafael Nadal’s Academy product, 19-year-old Ira defeated Swiatek with a straight set during a groundbreaking ride in Miami.
Eala defeated Swiatek’s serve early and won the first set at Caja Magica Center Court, but the former took advantage of the disappointment from her younger opponent to regain control for the rest of the match.
Swiatek has made its three semi-finals this year, including the Australian Open and the Indian Wells. She lost her second match last week in Stuttgart and fell to Jelena Ostapenko in three sets.
Before defeating Swiecsk in Miami, left-handed Ira had defeated two other Grand Slam winners, Ostapenko and Madison Keys. Her run ended in the semi-finals after losing to Jessica Pegra.
With his final four appearances in Miami, EALA became the first player in the Philippines and ranked within the top 100. She is currently ranked 72nd.
Earlier on Thursday, World No. 7 Mira Andreva, who turns 18 on Tuesday, reached the third round by beating Marie Buzkova 6-3, 6-4, while Brazil’s Beatrice Haddad Maia defeated Bernarda Pera 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.
American Katie Volinette lost 6-1 and 6-2 to Diana Schneider, while countrywoman Emma Navarro scored 7-5, 7-5 against Maya Joint.
On the men’s side, former world No. 4 Nishikoli defeated Alexander Vukic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in his 450th tour-level victory. The 64th place Japanese player was Madrid’s 2014 finalist.
“I didn’t know,” Nishikori, 35, said of his milestone. “I’m trying to play one game at a time. That’s a lot, yes… I’ve played for 18 years.
He plays 29th seed Dennis Shapovalov in the second round.
David Goffin had to retire after losing 1-0 in the third set with Alexandre Muller, but Lorenzo Sonego beat Miomir Keckmanovich 6-4, 7-6 (5).
Third ranked Carlos Alcaraz retreated from Thursday’s tournament and cited a muscle injury.