Alexandra Eala is writing Filipino history books at the Miami Open! The 19-year-old received a wild card for the WTA 1000 event and reached her first WTA semi-final following notable victories. Rafael Nadal has watched Eala's progress in Florida.
The Filipina trained at Rafa Nadal Academy for a couple of years and graduated in June 2023. Alongside Rafa, Iga Swiatek was there during the ceremony, making the young gun's memorable day even more special.
Less than two years later, Alexandra defeated Iga 6-2, 7-5 in the Miami Open quarter-final. Nadal congratulated a teenager and wished her to keep dreaming!
Rafa's uncle Toni followed Alexandra from her coaching box and enjoyed in what she displayed. The young gun ousted two Major champions before facing Swiatek, toppling Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys. Not stopping there, Eala showed no fear against world no. 2.
The Filipina left the Pole behind in the opening set after hitting with power and precision. Alexandra trailed 4-2 in the second set before taking five of the final six games for a notable triumph. They both struggled behind the initial shot, and Alexandra made the difference behind the second serve.
A teenager suffered five breaks and stole the rival's serve eight times in ten return games! Tey embraced deuces and break points in the first half of the opening set, requiring over 40 minutes for the first eight games. Iga grabbed a break in the first game of the duel with a sharp return.
World no. 2 missed a chance to cement the lead in the second game and played a loose forehand to bring the young gun back to the positive side. Alexandra saved a break point in the third game and extended the next one.
Swiatek netted a forehand to drop serve for the second straight time and fall 3-1 behind. The Pole pulled the break back in game five and returned to the positive side. Eala kept her composure and landed a return winner at 3-2 for her third straight break of serve.
The Filipina provided a hold at love for 5-2 and attacked on the return in game eight. Alexandra clinched her fourth break in a row with a forced error, wrapping up the opener 6-2 in 43 minutes. Eala gained confidence and cracked a backhand crosscourt winner in the second game of the second set.
Thus, she delivered her fifth straight break and moved closer to the finish line. Swiatek fought back and rattled off four games. The Pole pulled the break back in game three and held in the next one for 2-2. Iga made another push on the return in game five.
She secured another break to move in front and drew Eala's mistake on serve in game six for a 4-2 advantage. A teenager kept her composure and pulled the break back at 3-4 after welcoming Iga's backhand mistake. Swiatek secured her fifth and last break in game nine with a powerful backhand.
World no. 2 served for the set in game ten and failed to bring it home. The Pole missed a forehand and experienced a costly break that kept the Filipina in the set.Alexandra held for 6-5 and stepped in on the return in the next one.
A teenager created a match point and welcomed the rival's mistake to move over the top and celebrate her career-best victory at 19.
