Alex Eala’s recent win at the Miami Open, where she became the first Filipina woman to defeat a Grand Slam champion, marks a major milestone not just for her, but for Philippine tennis as a whole.
Here’s a summary of her groundbreaking victories:
- Defeated Jelena Ostapenko (2017 French Open champion): In the second round, Eala overcame world No. 25 with a 7–6(2), 7–5 scoreline, becoming the first Filipina to defeat a Grand Slam champion at a WTA-level event.
- Defeated Madison Keys (2023 Australian Open champion): Eala advanced to the third round by defeating world No. 5, 6–4, 6–2, marking the first time a Filipino player has beaten a top-10 opponent in the Open Era.
- Defeated Iga Świątek (five-time Grand Slam champion): In the quarterfinals, Eala stunned the world No. 2 with a 6–2, 7–5 victory, becoming the first Filipina to reach a WTA semifinal and the first to break into the top 100 of the WTA rankings.
Although Świątek would later avenge the Miami loss with a 6–4, 6–2 comeback at the Madrid Open, the 19-year-old Eala earned widespread respect for her poise, power, and resilience on the clay.
Despite falling to world No. 2 Iga Świątek in the second round of Madrid, Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala etched her name into the history books with a performance that showcased her rising star status on the WTA Tour.
