Iga Swiatek’s Unexpected Miami Open Exit: A Deep Dive into Her Most Surprising Defeats
In a shocking turn of events at the Miami Open, world No. 2 Iga Swiatek faced one of the most unexpected defeats of her illustrious career, courtesy of wildcard entrant Alex Eala. This stunning loss has not only sent ripples through the tennis community but also extended Swiatek’s streak to 10 tournaments without reaching a final on the WTA Tour.
Top 5 Upsets in Iga Swiatek’s Career
Swiatek’s recent exit has joined the ranks of her most surprising defeats, where she has fallen to lower-ranked players. Let’s explore these matches that have left a mark on her career.
Polona Hercog at the 2019 Lugano Open
Back in 2019, the then world No. 115 Swiatek faced off against world No. 89 Polona Hercog in the Lugano Open final. This marked the young Polish player’s first appearance in a WTA final. Despite a valiant effort, Swiatek succumbed to Hercog’s experience, with the Slovenian clinching a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory. Hercog, who peaked at world No. 35, remains one of the few players to defeat Swiatek in a WTA final.
Christina McHale at the 2020 Cincinnati Open
The return of tennis post-COVID in August 2020 saw Swiatek ranked 51st as she entered the Cincinnati Open. However, her campaign was cut short by qualifier and world No. 90 Christina McHale. Swiatek fell 6-2, 6-4 in the opening round but quickly rebounded, reaching the third round of the US Open and capturing her first French Open title shortly after.
Karolina Muchova at the 2019 Prague Open
Karolina Muchova has been a formidable opponent for Swiatek, and their rivalry dates back to the 2019 Prague Open. The then world No. 95 Swiatek faced Muchova in a challenging opening-round match in front of a supportive home crowd for the Czech player. Muchova emerged victorious with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 win, marking her sole triumph over Swiatek in their five encounters.
Alex Eala at the 2025 Miami Open
In a monumental upset, 19-year-old Alex Eala, ranked world No. 140, stunned Swiatek with a 6-2, 7-5 victory. Eala’s triumph over the Polish star was a testament to her rising talent, as she had already secured impressive wins against Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys. This victory propels Eala into the top 100 of the WTA Rankings, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Ana Konjuh at the 2021 Miami Open
Swiatek’s most significant ranking upset occurred at the 2021 Miami Open, where she was defeated by wildcard Ana Konjuh, then ranked world No. 338. After a promising start against Barbora Krejcikova, Swiatek was halted by Konjuh’s resurgence from injury, losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. This match remains Swiatek’s most surprising loss by opponent ranking.
These unexpected defeats highlight the unpredictable nature of tennis and the challenges that even top athletes like Iga Swiatek can face. As the tennis world continues to evolve, fans eagerly await how Swiatek will respond to these setbacks and what the future holds for this remarkable talent.