Alex Eala made her ambitious campaign felt at the Mutua Madrid Open after routing higher-ranked Viktoriya Tomova, 6-3, 6-2, in the opening round on Tuesday, April 22.

The 19-year-old Filipina tennis sensation came through with big shots that dictated the pace in the 76-minute match of this Women’s Tennis Association (WTA1000) event.

With the victory, the unseeded Eala arranged an anticipated thrilling second-round meeting with world No. 2 and defending champion Iga Swiatek, who earned a first-round bye.

It would be a rematch of sorts for Eala and Swiatek after the Filipina stunned the five-time Grand Slam champion in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open last month.

Eala was all over Tomova’s serve to eventually take the first set before encountering stiff resistance in the second frame.

Both Eala and Tomova had a hard time holding their own serves until the Filipina managed in the fourth game that set the tone throughout the match.

Eala hopes to bring the same firepower and energy that earned her a semis appearance in Miami, knowing fully well the wide experience of Swiatek.

The Polish superstar is coming off a quarters loss to eventual champion Jelena Ostapenko at the Stuttgart Open last week, while Eala had a second-round exit as a top-seeded player at the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal last week.