MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot in opposition to Madison Keys of america throughout their match on day 6 at Exhausting Rock Stadium on March 23, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Wealthy Storry/Getty Pictures/AFP (Picture by Wealthy Storry / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Pictures through AFP)
Alex Eala made historical past by turning into the primary Filipino lady to beat a top-10 opponent.
She will be able to add one other high-profile participant to her listing of victims.
The 19-year-old rising tennis star dumped world No. 5 Madison Keys out of the Miami Open on Sunday, profitable their third-round match, 6-4, 6-2.
“Rising up it was robust,” an emotional Eala mentioned through the on-court interview. “You didn’t have anybody from the place you’re from to pave the way in which. In fact, you had many individuals to look as much as around the globe, however I believe—I hope this takes Filipino tennis to the following step.”
Younger Filipino tennis hopefuls actually have somebody to look to this point.
Eala had beforehand toppled 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko to arrange the duel vs Keys. In bringing down Australian Open champion Keys, Eala additionally turned the primary Filipino as well out Grand Slam winners in back-to-back trend.
“The younger children, the youth within the Philippines, they don’t must take inspiration from me. They will take inspiration from anybody they need. You already know, they’ll take inspiration from different issues, which is what I did rising up,” she mentioned in a report by Agence France-Presse.
Quarters in sight
Up subsequent within the Rafael Nadal Academy standout’s Cinderella run is one other acquainted identify: Spanish star Paula Badosa, the previous world No. 2 and Australian Open semifinalist.
Eala might be gunning for a spot within the quarterfinals in opposition to Badosa, however she isn’t letting that massive job distract her from her achievement to date.
“I do know and it’s in my thoughts that I’ve a subsequent match, however I must cease, and I want to acknowledge that what I did at the moment was actually wonderful. I believe my response on court docket, , sums up just about how I really feel about it,” mentioned Eala who turned emotional after the win and hugged each member of her staff after the match.
Eala, who has skilled at Nadal’s academy in Mallorca since she was 13, required a medical timeout for what gave the impression to be a leg damage however was a drive from the baseline in opposition to Keys, who reached the Indian Wells semifinal final week.
“I’m simply in disbelief,” Eala instructed the Tennis Channel. “I knew I might win from the beginning, however the possibilities had been low on condition that she is a good participant, however I believe my perception and the belief I had in myself is what pushed me by.”
“It’s a giant factor to soak up, and I really feel it’s essential for me to take it in step-by-step. I’m so tremendous happy with what I used to be in a position to accomplish, however it positively fuels me extra,” she mentioned.
Keys admitted she was removed from her finest type in opposition to a decided Eala, who dug in on the baseline and performed beautifully from there.
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“My serve was not likely there at the moment and I simply form of felt slightly flat—and when you find yourself enjoying somebody who makes a ton of balls again and absorbs rather well, that’s not likely the keys to success,” Keys mentioned. —WITH REPORTS FROM REUTERS, INQUIRER SPORTS STAFF
