In the electric atmosphere of the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, Germany’s Eva Lys faced a formidable challenge in the third round, squaring off against the indomitable Iga Swiatek, the reigning Wimbledon champion and world No. 3. The match, played on August 1, 2025, ended in a decisive 6-2, 6-2 victory for Swiatek, extending her perfect 3-0 head-to-head record against Lys. Yet, it was Lys’s post-match wit and self-deprecating humor that stole the spotlight, as she took to social media with a cheeky comment: “Iga Swiatek always putting an end to my good runs lol. I tried my best, got a bit closer, we love the baby steps. Huge thanks to the amazing Montreal fans.” Her ability to laugh at herself while acknowledging Swiatek’s dominance endeared her to fans and highlighted her resilience in the face of a tough defeat.
Lys, ranked No. 69, entered the tournament with momentum, having upset experienced Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the second round with a 6-3, 6-4 victory. That win followed a confident 6-1, 6-4 triumph over France’s Leolia Jeanjean, showcasing Lys’s growing prowess on hard courts. Against Pavlyuchenkova, Lys played with tactical precision, capitalizing on her opponent’s ten double faults and employing a patient, defensive strategy to secure the upset in under 90 minutes. “I’m super happy to get this win and to be in the third round,” Lys said after defeating Pavlyuchenkova, her joy evident as she celebrated her deepest run in a WTA 1000 event. However, facing Swiatek was a different beast altogether. The Polish star, riding a nine-match winning streak after her Wimbledon title, displayed her trademark aggression, breaking Lys four times and facing just one break point, which she saved. “It’s always fun here,” Swiatek remarked post-match. “It was a solid match, so I’m happy to have a chance to play another one here.”
The match itself was a study in contrasts. Swiatek, with her 43-11 record in 2025 and an 82% career win rate, overwhelmed Lys with a barrage of winners, including a decisive forehand to seal the victory in just 72 minutes. Lys, despite her 12-7 hard-court record this season, struggled to counter Swiatek’s relentless pace, managing only four games—the most she’s ever won against the Pole in their three meetings. “Eva played some great down-the-lines and sometimes was really able to use her wrist and play some fast balls,” Swiatek acknowledged, noting the competitiveness despite the lopsided scoreline. Lys’s lone break-point opportunity came in the second set, but Swiatek’s defense held firm, underscoring the gap between the world’s elite and the rising German star.
Lys’s post-match reflection was a masterclass in perspective. Her humorous social media post, shared shortly after the loss, captured her ability to find silver linings. “I tried my best, got a bit closer, we love the baby steps,” she wrote, poking fun at her incremental progress against a player who has now conceded just seven games to her across three matches, including a 6-0, 6-1 rout at the 2025 Australian Open. The Montreal crowd, known for its passionate support, roared for Lys, and she reciprocated their love, thanking them for their energy. “Huge thanks to the amazing Montreal fans,” she added, a nod to the atmosphere that made her tournament run memorable.
At 23, Lys is a player on the rise, with her 2025 season marked by flashes of brilliance, including a third-round appearance at Wimbledon, where she fell to Linda Noskova. Her defensive style, complemented by 62 winners across her two Montreal matches, signals potential for bigger breakthroughs. “I just focused on myself and knew what my plan was,” Swiatek said of her approach, a lesson Lys is likely internalizing as she navigates her career. With a 21-17 overall record this year, Lys’s upset over Pavlyuchenkova and her competitive showings against top players like Swiatek highlight her growing confidence.
As Swiatek advances to face No. 16 seed Clara Tauson in the fourth round, carrying a 12-0 record against German opponents, Lys’s Montreal journey ends with optimism. Her lighthearted take on the loss, coupled with her gratitude for the fans, paints a picture of a player undeterred by defeat. “I’m seeing that the draw is wide open,” Lys had noted earlier in the tournament, a sentiment that reflects her hunger for future opportunities. With her infectious humor and undeniable talent, Eva Lys is poised to turn these “baby steps” into giant leaps on the WTA Tour.
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