In the vibrant atmosphere of the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the 19-year-old Filipina, Alexandra Eala, ranked no. 140 in the world, made a remarkable journey through the 2025 Miami Open. Eala’s wildcard run saw her topple formidable opponents, showcasing her resilience and talent in the most prestigious tennis tournament.
Eala’s remarkable journey began on March 19, when she faced off against world No. 73 Katie Volynets in the opening round. Against all odds, Eala delivered a performance that would send shockwaves through the tournament. Displaying a mix of agility and strategic prowess, she secured a 6-3, 7-6(3) victory, advancing to the next round. Eala’s ability to rally in the second set showcased her mental fortitude, particularly when Volynets had made a comeback to force a tiebreak.
“It felt amazing to win my first match here,” Eala said in her post-match interview, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “I’m just trying to soak in every moment.”
Two days later, Eala faced her toughest challenge yet: 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, ranked No. 25 in the world. In a match that tested her limits, Eala displayed incredible poise and determination, defeating Ostapenko in straight sets, 7-6(2), 7-5.
Eala’s meteoric rise continued as she faced the reigning Australian Open champion, Madison Keys, in the third round. In an electrifying performance, she stunned the tennis world with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Keys, breaking the American’s serve six times.
“I don’t think I’ve had the time to process everything that’s happened,” Eala admitted, reflecting on her historic win. “It’s a big thing to take in, and I’m super proud of what I was able to accomplish.”
Advancing to the quarterfinals, Eala encountered an unexpected turn of events when her next opponent, world No. 11 Paula Badosa, withdrew due to injury. This walkover propelled Eala into the semifinals, making her the first Filipina player to reach this stage in a WTA 1000 event.
For the semifinal match, Eala faced off against Iga Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion and the tournament’s second seed. In a stunning upset, Eala defeated Swiatek 6-2, 7-5, solidifying her spot in the finals. This victory marked a significant milestone in her career, as she had previously never defeated a player ranked in the top 40.
Eala’s dream run culminated in the finals against Jessica Pegula, where she fought bravely but lost 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3. After the match, Pegula praised Eala’s performance, saying, “She’s really good, a really good tennis player... she proved that tonight.”
Despite the loss, Eala still made history as the first Filipina WTA semifinalist to advance to the final four of a WTA 1000 event, beating three Grand Slam champions and top players, sealing the country’s best finish in the sport.
With the win, the no. 4 seed Pegula booked a ticket to the finals against world no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus who outlasted Jasmine Paolini of Italy earlier on Saturday.
The 2025 Miami Open runs from March 18 to March 30, 2025.