Tennis

Mutua Madrid Open: Alexandra Eala And Naomi Osaka Have Opposite Round 1 Results

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wendioliveros
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wendioliveros Sports Editor

Wendi Oliveros is a diehard tennis fan that is known to set her clock at ridiculous hours to watch live action especially during the Australian Open. She is known for indulging in strawberries and cream during Wimbledon and has watched the US Open live several times.

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Sports Editor

Published22 Apr 2025

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Alexandra Eala and Naomi Osaka were in action in the opening round of 128 action on Tuesday at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open.

Eala is the rising star with a breakthrough tournament at the Miami Open.  The Rafael Nadal Academy graduate is comfortable on the clay and had an easy first-round win over Viktoriya Tomova in straight sets.

In her short career, Eala has played well in Madrid. Last year, she lost a tight three-set second-round match against Sorana Cirstea.

On the other hand, Naomi Osaka took to the clay courts of Madrid for her first action since her Miami Open loss to Jasmine Paolini.  Osaka is not known for her clay court play except for nearly upsetting Iga Swiatek at the 2024 French Open.

Osaka lost in three sets to Lucia Bronzetti, slipping and falling on match point.  She had opportunities to pull ahead in the third set but struggled on serve and with unforced errors.

Who Does Alexandra Eala Play Next?

Wildcard player Eala, who will turn 20 on May 23, will meet World No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the second round.  Tennis fans had this potential match circled when the draw came out.

Unlike Miami, where Eala shocked Swiatek in straight sets, she meets Swiatek on the clay court, her strongest surface.  Swiatek is coming off a Saturday quarterfinal loss to eventual Porsche Tennis Grand Prix champion Jelena Ostapenko.

Swiatek has struggled this year. With Roland Garros approaching, the four-time French Open champion is expected to get into form and vie for her fifth title in Paris in six years.

Eala returned to the court last week.  She made her 2025 clay court at the WTA 125 Oeiras tournament. She lost in the Round of 16 to Panna Udvardy.

Alexandra Eala’s game is fun to watch.  The left-hander has an excellent mix of power and finesse with good shotmaking capabilities on both the forehand and backhand wings.