MANILA, Philippines – Alex Eala has made it a habit beating Grand Slam champions.
Eala extended her dream run in the Miami Open, pulling off a giant 6-2, 7-5 upset against five-time major titlist Iga Swiatek to advance to the semifinals before a stunned Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday, March 26 (Thursday, March 27, Manila time).
The 19-year-old Filipina rode a sizzling start then showed her resolve when the going got tough as she added Swiatek, ranked second in the world, to her growing list of high-profile victims that includes reigning Australian Open queen Madison Keys and 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m in complete just disbelief right now and I’m on cloud nine,” Eala said after the match.
“My coach told me to run, to go for every ball, take all the opportunities I can because [a] five-time Grand Slam champion is not going to give you the win.”
On paper, the Polish star was supposed to demolish world No. 140 Eala, having been one of the most consistently successful players on the WTA Tour and even holding the No. 1 ranking for 125 weeks.
Swiatek, who ruled the French Open four times and the US Open once, also owns 22 WTA Tour titles.
But Eala — maintaining a poker face all match long — did not succumb to the pressure of facing Swiatek and embraced the opportunity of taking down her idol.
After failing to hold serve in the opening game, Eala won six of the next seven, breaking Swiatek four times, to clinch the first set.
Eala continued her dominance by racing to a 2-0 lead in the second set, but Swiatek refused to go down without a fight and won four consecutive games to seize the upper hand at 4-2.
The Filipina teen, though, maintained her poise, pulling level at 4-4, then at 5-5, before she broke Swiatek for the eighth and final time to nail the improbable win.
Swiatek recorded more winners, 28-16, but committed 20 more unforced errors than Eala.
Eala stared in disbelief — her victory marking a full circle moment two years after her graduation from the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain in June 2023 featured Swiatek as guest of honor.
“[C]ircumstances have changed and I’m just so happy and I’m so blessed to be able to compete with a such a player on this stage,” said Eala.
Up next for Eala is either former US Open champion Emma Raducano or world No. 4 Jessica Pegula. – Rappler.com