In a stunning upset at the Miami Open, 19-year-old Alex Eala of the Philippines defeated world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, marking the biggest win of her career and propelling her towards a historic top 100 ranking. Eala’s victory is not just a personal triumph but also a significant moment for Philippine tennis, as she becomes the first player from her country to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal.
Eala’s Historic Miami Open Run
Alexandra “Alex” Eala, currently ranked No. 140 in the world, has been on a Cinderella run at the Miami Open, exceeding all expectations as a wild card entry. Her journey to the semifinals has been nothing short of spectacular, with a string of victories against top-ranked players and former Grand Slam champions.
Upsetting Grand Slam Champions
Eala’s impressive run began with an upset of No. 73 Katie Volynets, followed by a stunning win against No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion. She continued her momentum by defeating No. 5 Madison Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion.
Dominating Iga Swiatek
The quarterfinal match against Iga Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, was Eala’s biggest test yet. Despite the odds, Eala played with composure and skill, defeating Swiatek in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5.
First Filipina to Reach WTA Semifinal
With her victory over Swiatek, Eala became the first player from the Philippines to reach a WTA semifinal. This historic achievement marks a significant milestone for Philippine tennis and cements Eala’s status as a rising star in the sport.
Rise in WTA Rankings
Eala’s remarkable performance at the Miami Open is set to propel her into the top 100 of the WTA rankings for the first time in her career. This will make her the highest-ranked Filipina female singles player in WTA Tour history, surpassing Maricris Gentz, who peaked at No. 284 in 1999.
Projected Top 100 Ranking
Prior to her quarterfinal match, Eala was projected to enter the top 100, regardless of the outcome. With her win over Swiatek, she is now expected to climb even higher in the rankings, potentially reaching the top 80.
Impact on Philippine Tennis
Eala’s success is expected to have a significant impact on tennis in the Philippines, inspiring young players and raising the profile of the sport in the country. Her achievements demonstrate that Filipino athletes can compete at the highest level of international tennis.
Alex Eala’s Background and Training
Alex Eala was born on May 23, 2005, in Quezon City, Philippines. She began playing tennis at the age of four and turned professional on March 4, 2020.
Rafa Nadal Academy
Eala has trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, for the past six years. The academy, founded by tennis legend Rafael Nadal, provides world-class training facilities and coaching. Eala has credited the academy for helping her develop her skills and reach her full potential. Toni Nadal, Rafael’s uncle, has also been seen watching Eala’s matches from the sidelines.
Junior Career
Before turning professional, Eala had a successful junior career, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 2 in the ITF junior rankings. She won the 2022 US Open girls’ singles title, becoming the first Filipino player to win a junior Grand Slam singles title. She also won two Grand Slam girls’ doubles titles: the 2020 Australian Open with Priska Nugroho of Indonesia and the 2021 French Open with Oksana Selekhmeteva of Russia.
Professional Career
Eala has won five ITF singles titles and three doubles titles. Her career prize money totals $504,935. She made her WTA 1000 debut at the Miami Open in 2021 as a wildcard entry.
Iga Swiatek’s Perspective
Iga Swiatek, despite the loss, acknowledged Eala’s strong performance. Swiatek, known for her sportsmanship, expressed her frustrations in an Instagram post, mentioning she lacked experience in controlling her impulses during the match.
Swiatek’s Accomplishments
Iga Swiatek has been ranked as the world No. 1 in women’s singles by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), holding the position for a total of 125 weeks. She has won 22 WTA Tour-level singles titles, including five major titles: four at the French Open and one at the US Open.
Eala’s Semifinal Match
Eala awaits the winner of the quarterfinal match between Jessica Pegula of the U.S. and Emma Raducanu of Britain in the semifinals.
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