Alexandra Eala still dreams in Miami! The 19-year-old Filipina stunned world no. 2 Iga Swiatek 6-2, 7-5 in an hour and 39 minutes in the Miami Open quarter-final! Thus, a teenager with a wild card will compete in her first WTA semi-final, achieving that on the big scene.
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The famous coach, Toni Nadal, stood in Eala's box during her incredible victory. Alexandra trained at Rafa Nadal Academy and graduated in June 2023, receiving her degree from Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek herself!
Eala earned an invitation for the Miami Open and showed her rich talent. The Filipina ousted three Major winners (Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek) en route to her career-best result. A left-hander left world no. 2 miles behind in the opener.
Alexandra erased a 4-2 deficit in the second set and rattled off five of the final six games to seal the deal in straight sets and produce another stunner. Both players struggled in their service games. The Filipina made the difference behind the second serve.
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She lost serve five times and delivered eight breaks in ten return games to emerge at the top as a deserved winner. They needed over 40 minutes to complete eight games of the opening set thanks to numerous deuces in the first part of the set.
Eala wasted game points at the start of the duel and suffered a break after Swiatek's sharp return. World no. 2 squandered a chance to move 2-0 up, with a teenager pulling the break back after the rival's loose forehand. Alexandra saved a break point in the third game.
Iga again squandered her chances on serve at 1-2 and netted a routine forehand to fall behind. Eala suffered a break in game five, keeping her rival in contention. However, the Pole suffered a break at love in game six after the Filipina's return winner.
Alexandra held at love for 5-2 and provided her four straight break in game eight with a forced error, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 43 minutes. Not stopping there, Eala grabbed a break in the second game of the second set with a backhand crosscourt winner.
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Swiatek fought back and clinched four games in a row, breaking her rival in games three and five and moving 4-2 up after drawing the rival's mistake. Alexandra pulled the break back in the eighth game after the rival's backhand error.
World no. 2 made one last push on the return at 4-4 and landed a powerful backhand for a break at 15, moving in front and serving for the set. However, Eala kept her composure and pulled the break back after Swiatek's forehand error.
The young gun held in game 11 for 6-5 and provided another break in the next one to celebrate a massive victory and move into the semi-final.
