ALEX EALA MAKES HISTORY FOR PH, DEFEATS WORLD NO. 2 AT MIAMI OPEN

FILIPINO tennis star Alex Eala on Wednesday defeated world no. 2 Iga Swiatek in straight sets at the Miami Open to become the first Filipina WTA semifinalist.

The 19-year-old Eala shocked the world once again with a two-set win over Swiatek, 6-2, 7-5, in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open.

Eala, ranked world no. 140 at the moment, played the best tennis of her career, especially in set 1, where she pushed Swiatek to the brink with an unbelievable run from an initial 0-1 deficit to a 6-2 win.

She dedicated to the Philippines her huge upset at the Miami Open.

Eala is the first woman from the Philippines  to reach the last eight of a WTA 1000 tournament.

“This is the dream. I have to enjoy,” the Filipina wildcard said.

“It feels amazing because I know this is a historical achievement, which I dedicate to my country. It’s also a huge personal achievement, and for that I’d love to give myself and my team a pat on the back. It’s not the end goal. Keep working,” Eala said.

The teenager from Quezon City has been in a professional setting since she was 13, when she left her homeland to join Rafael Nadal’s academy in Mallorca.

For the past six years, she has lived and breathed tennis alongside top coaches and a group of players all hoping to make the journey onto the tour.

Eala thanked and her family and her coach for the full support.

Eala will face the winner of Wednesday’s quarter-final between Britain’s Emma Raducanu and American Jessica Pegula.

“I know that they’re both good, both fighters.  I have to deal with them.” Eala said.

Semifinals will be played Thursday night or Friday morning (Manila time).

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