Swiatek survives Eala scare to start Madrid Open defence / Photo: Thomas COEX - AFP
-
Mexican influencer shot dead during live stream
-
Henry agrees record $30 million extension with Ravens
-
McIlroy not trying to be Bryson's best mate with Masters silence
-
Democrats grill Trump's controversial health secretary
-
Trump admin axes safeguards against 'forever chemicals' in drinking water
-
Crypto industry praises Trump, calls for market clarity
-
Straka, Hovland, Aberg seek first major win, Ryder Cup spot
-
Alcaraz sweeps past Draper and into Italian Open semis, Sabalenka falls
-
HBO again: Warner's streaming service gets old name back
-
FIA cuts controversial F1 driver swearing fines
-
Toddler separated from parents in US deportation case returned to Venezuela
-
Palestinians mark Nakba amid mass displacement in Gaza and West Bank
-
Trump says could meet Putin for Ukraine talks in Turkey
-
NHL's Canucks hire Foote as head coach
-
Spain probes ticket fees for Bad Bunny concerts
-
Daredevil Tom Cruise and his 'Mission: Impossible' wow Cannes
-
Toddler separated from parents in US deportation case returns to Venezuela
-
Trump announces big Boeing order for Qatar Airways
-
French PM strikes defiant note on child abuse scandal
-
Champions League return more important than Europa League glory for Amorim
-
Sean Combs's ex Cassie alleges pattern of abuse ahead of defense grilling
-
Seeking something new, Airbnb CEO promises 'perfect concierge'
-
Pedersen takes third stage win of Giro d'Italia
-
'Assassin's Creed' no saviour for struggling Ubisoft
-
Tottenham's Kulusevski to miss Europa League final after surgery
-
Huge drop in US overdose deaths, marking progress in opioid crisis
-
De Niro says Hollywood worried about 'wrath of Trump'
-
Pedersen takes third stage win in Giro d'Italia
-
Uruguay bids farewell to popular ex-leader "Pepe" Mujica
-
Trump admin drops limits on several 'forever chemicals' in drinking water
-
Gaza rescuers say 80 killed in Israeli strikes amid hostage release talks
-
Ancient reptile tracks rewrite when animals conquered land
-
Turkey eyes legal steps after Kurdish militant group PKK disbands
-
Alcaraz sweeps past Draper and into Italian Open semis
-
Europe Ryder Cup captain Donald has given players no assurances
-
Trump drug price plan could nix investment, warns Roche
-
Tom Cruise unleashes 'Mission: Impossible' at Cannes
-
Trump admin weakens limits on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water
-
Paris to allow swimming in Seine from July in Olympic legacy
-
Germany's Merz urges Europe-US unity on Ukraine war
-
Tom Cruise nearly met his end on 'The Final Reckoning'
-
No new burdens for McIlroy, living the dream after career Slam
-
Sean Combs's ex Cassie to face defense grilling at second day in court
-
Ageless beauty contest: South African grannies strut the catwalk
-
Trump says 'possibility' of meeting Putin for Ukraine talks in Turkey
-
Gauff sees off Andreeva to reach Italian Open semis
-
Merz vows to rev up German economic 'growth engine'
-
Strikes kill 29 in Gaza, amid hostage release talks
-
Tennis champ Sinner meets Pope Leo, offers quick rally
-
England sees driest spring since 1956: government agency
NYSE - LSE
| RBGPF | 1.27% | 63.81 | $ | |
| JRI | -0.86% | 12.77 | $ | |
| NGG | -0.15% | 67.43 | $ | |
| SCS | -1.61% | 10.54 | $ | |
| BCE | -3.39% | 21.26 | $ | |
| RIO | -0.39% | 62.03 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.43% | 21.965 | $ | |
| BCC | -3.27% | 90.74 | $ | |
| CMSD | -0.58% | 22.26 | $ | |
| RYCEF | -1.61% | 10.53 | $ | |
| RELX | 1.24% | 53.06 | $ | |
| GSK | -0.36% | 36.22 | $ | |
| VOD | -0.22% | 9.04 | $ | |
| AZN | -2.25% | 66.23 | $ | |
| BTI | -0.35% | 40.55 | $ | |
| BP | -0.66% | 30.36 | $ |
Swiatek survives Eala scare to start Madrid Open defence
Defending Madrid Open champion Iga Swiatek survived a debut scare to beat rising teenage star Alexandra Eala 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday and reach the third round in the Spanish capital.
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.
Swiatek only converted one of six first-set break points against the resilient Eala, who won both of hers.
The teenager again broke in the first game of the second set, but this time Swiatek, who has four French Open titles, was able to respond immediately.
When Eala broke again for a 3-2 lead, Swiatek followed suit to get back on serve, with the Pole raising her level towards the end of the second set.
She broke to love in the 10th game to force a deciding set and sped through it, securing breaks in the second and sixth games.
Eala wrestled a break back and saved a match point as Swiatek overcooked a backhand, but eventually the reigning champion triumphed as the teenager went long.
Swiatek will face Czech Linda Noskova in the third round.
In other matches, Anastasija Sevastova ousted 2017 French Open winner and Latvian compatriot Jelena Ostapenko 7-6 (7/2), 6-2. Ostapenko beat Swiatek in the Stuttgart quarter-finals last week.
L.Davis--AMWN