Swiatek survives Eala scare to start Madrid Open title defence, Alcaraz pulls out due to injury

Defending Madrid Open champion Iga Swiatek survived a debut scare to beat rising teen-age star Alexandra Eala 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday and reach the third round in the Spanish capital.

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The 19-year-old Filipina, who beat Swiatek in straight sets on a shock run to the Miami Open semi-finals in March, claimed the first set as the world number two struggled.

Swiatek, who has been below her best so far this season, found her rhythm in the second set and eventually downed Eala, ranked 72nd, with ease in the third.

"It wasn't easy to get into the rhythm and the right timing and I'm happy that I was just patient," Swiatek told Spanish broadcaster TVE.

"I always love playing here, for sure I'm proud of my performances in the last two years.”

Eala broke Swiatek in the first game and produced two battling holds on her first two service games, saving two break points in each as the Pole hunted for a way back in.

The exciting Filipina saved another break point in the sixth game before breaking Swiatek to love for a 5-2 lead in the Madrid sun.

Clay court expert Swiatek recovered a break but Eala was able to serve out her advantage, capturing her third set point when the five-time Grand Slam champion sent a backhand long.