MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In a stunning display of talent and determination, 19-year-old Alexandra Eala orchestrated a sensational upset at the Miami Open on Wednesday, overcoming five-time Grand Slam winner and second seed Iga Swiatek with a score of 6-2, 7-5 in the quarterfinals.
The young left-hander, who earned a wild card entry into this prestigious WTA 1000 event, proudly represents the Philippines as its sole player on the women’s professional circuit and entered the competition ranked 140th.
Eala’s remarkable journey has led her to her first WTA semifinals, achieving this feat by defeating her third Grand Slam champion in a match that lasted 1 hour and 37 minutes.
“I’m completely in disbelief, this is just incredible,” Eala expressed during her on-court interview, beaming with joy.
Along the way, she triumphed over 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and the reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, ranked No. 5—a milestone marking Eala’s first victory against a top-10 player.
Before this week, she had never secured a win against a player ranked in the top 40. As Swiatek sent her final shot long on match point, Eala’s eyes glistened with tears as she looked skyward.
“I really wanted to soak in this moment because it’s something I’ve never experienced before, and that’s why I was gazing at the screen,’’ Eala shared. “I wanted to etch this moment into my memory.’’
In the previous round, Eala advanced due to a walkover from injured Paula Badosa, granting her some much-needed rest.
Although she represents the Philippines, Eala has lived in Mallorca for the past six years, training at the renowned Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy.
“I hope to make a difference,’’ Eala remarked. “Inspiring change and encouraging others to pick up a racket or watch more tennis, especially women’s tennis, is how I can give back to my country.”
The match started with Swiatek breaking Eala in the first game, but the determined teenager quickly fought back. The initial games of the match stretched over a lengthy 15 minutes, yet she maintained her composure throughout.
“While I may not have extensive experience on the WTA Tour, I excel at compartmentalizing my thoughts,’’ Eala explained. “I possess the professionalism required to bring my best self to the court.”
Throughout the match, Swiatek managed to hold serve just twice, as Eala relentlessly attacked her service returns with powerful forehands. This defeat marks Swiatek’s third loss against players ranked outside the top 100 in a WTA main draw.
“Her being a lefty didn’t catch me off guard, but she definitely went all in,’’ Swiatek noted. “Her returns were precise and challenging to counter. She played freely and confidently.”
On set point, Swiatek overshot a forehand, concluding the set in an impressive 42 minutes.
Eala now looks ahead to Thursday’s semifinals, where she will meet either Jessica Pegula from the U.S. or Britain’s Emma Raducanu, who are set to compete on Wednesday night.
