Another Day at the Office: Swiatek Readies for Eala Challenge at Wimbledon

Iga Swiatek was overcome by emotions after her first round win at the Championships. Her father and sister in the Royal Box, the heaviness of returning as defending champion to play Centre Court’s first match of the tournament overwhelmed her and she broke down in tears after her three-set win over American Taylor Townsend. 

“I think the whole process of opening the court and playing as a defending champion is for sure really emotional,” she said on Tuesday. “Last year probably the most amazing thing in my tennis career happened here. So I felt it also today.” 

That harrowing experience behind her, Swiatek got back to the even keel on Thursday as she rambled past former finalist Karolina Pliskova, 6-1, 6-3, to book her spot in the third round. 

“Today I felt like it was a normal day at the office,” Swiatek said after securing six breaks of serve in a dazzling 70-minute performance. 

The Pole stretched her Wimbledon winning streak to nine and will face Alexandra Eala in the third round. 

The Filipina trailblazer became the first woman from her nation to reach the third round at Wimbledon on Thursday as she battled past Maya Joint in three sets. Eala has split her two previous encounters with Swiatek, but they have never met on grass. 

“She has a tricky game,” Swiatek said. “I can assume that on grass it’s even more tricky because of the surface. For sure, she’s using her strengths, the change of rhythm and everything. I will prepare and I’ll be ready.

“But it will be a good challenge for me ’cause, yeah, she doesn’t give that rhythm. I will need to be ready for different kinds of shots.”