Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs. Alexandra Eala | 2026 Madrid Round 1 | WTA Match Highlights

Well, that was exceptional. It's not something you particularly expect from Pavel Chekhov's racket. But that drop shot was world class. It's a 1-4-1-2 play, so both players have faced the break point. Both players have come through it. Oh, no. That's even better. Oh, it's exceptional. Best point of the match so far. That is sensational. Just to show, no, I'm not going to be relaxed or, you know, get unfocused. I'm going to be there. I can't win this out of the 8 she's hit today. Too good. Great moving again from Iala. Nice. Nicely done. Well adapted there in the last one. It wasn't easy for Iala particularly. You can have a very, very torrid time up there. Talking about fully committing. But then she can turn it around just like that. Two backhands. Oh, it's a fabulous return. And there's the break which could decide this match. Nike have stayed with her ever since. At this point of the match, it's mental now with the amount of unforced errors. We just have to get over it. Oh, that's delightful. Self-belief. So for the third straight year, Alexandra Iala makes it to the second round of the mature Madrid Open. What a professional, mature performance that was against one of the world's best ever in former world number 11, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. This time a qualifier. And she moves past the 34-year-old in some style. It's brilliant from Iala once again. Takes it in. Straight sets. Outstanding, I would call it, performance from Alexandra Iala. Must be so pleased and relieved.