MIAMI — Filipino tennis prodigy Alexandra Eala turned a moment of past admiration into a stunning quarterfinal victory, defeating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek 6-2, 7-5 in a breakthrough performance at the Miami Open on Wednesday.
Just two years after being star-struck by Swiatek during a graduation ceremony at the Rafa Nadal Academy, the 19-year-old wildcard card delivered a career-defining performance that left her nearly in tears upon victory.
“It was super surreal to think that the circumstances have changed,” Eala said, recalling how she once stood beside Swiatek as a fan during her academy graduation. “I’m facing her on court now.”
The win marks a significant milestone for Eala, who will become the first Filipino player to be ranked inside the top 100. Her remarkable run in Miami has already included victories over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and Australian Open title holder Madison Keys.
“From the very beginning, I knew that I had the level to stick with her,” Eala said of Swiatek. “It was a pleasure to share the court with her and to be able to compete with her and hang with her rhythm.”
Eala now advances to the semifinals, where she will face fourth-seeded American Jessica Pegula, who earlier eliminated Emma Raducanu 6-4, 6-7(3/7), 6-2.
The young Filipino’s victory represents a breakthrough moment in her rapidly ascending tennis career, transforming a past moment of admiration into a powerful on-court statement.
