19-year-old Filipino tennis player Alexandra Eala beat world No. 2 Iga Świątek 6-2, 7-5 in the Miami Open quarterfinals on March 26, 2025. The win is historic, as Eala is the first player from the Philippines to reach the semifinals of a WTA 1000 tournament.
Match Highlights
Eala began the match assertively, breaking Świątek’s serve several times to take the first set 6-2. Świątek tried to mount a comeback in the second set, but Eala remained focused and took the second set 7-5. Throughout the game, Eala’s aggressive baseline game and thoughtful shot placing kept Świątek defensive.
Historic Achievement
Eala’s progress to the semifinals has been remarkable. Before beating Świątek, she had beaten two other Grand Slam champions: Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, and Madison Keys, the current Australian Open champion. These wins indicate Eala’s growing status on the tennis court and demonstrate that she has what it takes to play at elite levels.
Background and Development
Born on May 23, 2005, in Quezon City, Philippines, Eala started playing tennis at the age of four. She developed her skills at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, where she trained with the best junior players. Eala’s hard work was rewarded when she took home the junior girls’ singles title at the 2022 US Open, the first Filipino to do so.
Reactions and Future Prospects
Eala’s defeat of Świątek has elicited widespread popularity and acclaim. Fans and observers alike are eager to see how her future would unfold in the sport. Against Jessica Pegula, who dispatched Emma Raducanu from a closely contested quarterfinal battle, Eala will play semifinals.
Alexandra Eala’s play in the Miami Open marks a turning point in Philippine tennis. Her upsets of high-ranked players prove her ready to play on the international stage and motivate a new generation of athletes in the Philippines.
