Iga Świątek staged a remarkable comeback in her Madrid Open quarterfinal clash against the reigning Australian Open champion, Madison Keys.
Despite being bageled in the first set, a rarity she hadn’t faced in nearly four years, the Pole fought back to win.
Several fans reacted to her nervy win, with many expressing discontent towards Keys’ performance.
Fans React as Iga Świątek Serves Shock Comeback After First-Set Bagel in Madrid
Świątek was seemingly blown away in the first set as she struggled to win a game against Keys, marking the ninth time she caught herself in this situation on tour. Meanwhile, the American committed just two unforced errors in the first set, capitalizing on Świątek’s struggles with her first serve.
Despite this, the five-time major champion mounted a strong comeback and secured a 5-1 lead in the second before eventually closing it out 6-3. Świątek and Keys were tied at 2-2 in the deciding set before the former won four straight sets to secure the decider at 6-2 and win the match.
Several fans reacted to this update, and many weren’t satisfied with both players’ performance. One fan expressed disbelief, highlighting how Keys threw the match away despite a dominant start.
“Madison Keys threw the match away. Won the first set 6-0 but lost the last 2 sets & the match 6-0, 3-6, 2-6 to Iga Swiatek. Failed to take momentum after winning the first set. It affected her. Swiatek best surface is clay but didn’t play her best tennis yet still won,” the fan said.
Madison Keys throw the match away. Won the first set 6-0 but lost the last 2 sets & the match 6-0, 3-6, 2-6 to Iga Swiatek.
Failed to take momentum after winning the first set. It affected her.
Swiatek best surface is clay but didn't play her best tennis yet still won.#MMOPEN https://t.co/Fayb78xijl
— Charles (@prince_chas_cca)
“I hope Mirra beats Gauff, so I don’t have to watch the rematch of this match. It’s horrible from Madison. Swiatek is playing her worst tennis and yet Keys can’t beat her, jeez,” another wrote.
One fan expressed support for Keys but couldn’t believe she bageled Swiatek, only to collapse in the next two sets and lose.
“Iga Swiatek has advanced to the semifinal of the 2025 Madrid Open, where she will face either Coco Gauff or Mira Andreeva,” they commented.
Most of the reactions continued in the same vein.
One fan believed that Świątek won despite not playing great against Keys. They said:
“Madison Keys has looked HORRIBLE after the first set. Iga Swiatek has not even played great today. Keys just absolutely stunk it up.”
Madison Keys has looked HORRIBLE after the first set.
Iga Swiatek has not even played great today.
Keys just absolutely stunk it up.
— Isaiah (I.M) Franklin (@IgotThatParlay)
“Fights back? Keys threw this match. Iga didn’t play great. She is very lucky to get through,” another said, echoing the previous fan’s sentiments.
“Mass Comeback win which i didn’t expect 🫨 This will give Swiatek great confidence after 6-0 Bashing 😂,” another chimed in.
Świątek now holds a 5-2 head-to-head advantage against Keys, and 4-0 on clay.
Iga Świątek Will Face Coco Gauff in the Madrid Open Semifinal
Świątek has now booked a place in the Madrid Open semifinals, where she will face the No. 4 seed Coco Gauff. The American defeated Dayana Yastremska 0-6, 6-2, 7-5 in the second round and Ann Li 6-2, 6-3 in the third round before beating Belinda Bencic 6-4, 6-2 in the fourth to reach the quarterfinals.
Gauff carried that momentum into the quarterfinals against Russia’s Mirra Andreeva, winning 7-5, 6-1 and taking her head-to-head lead to 3-0 against the 17-year-old.
The Madrid Open semifinal between Gauff and Świątek would mark the 15th meeting, with the latter holding an 11-3 advantage in their head-to-head.
Their most recent encounter took place at the 2025 United Cup, which Gauff won 6-4, 6-4.
