Filipino tennis prodigy Alexandra Eala defeats World No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the Miami Open on March 26, 2025. WTA

In a monumental upset, 19-year-old Alexandra Eala of the Philippines defeated World No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open on Wednesday (March 26). Eala’s 6-2, 7-5 victory secured her spot in the semifinals, making her the first Filipino player to reach the final four of a WTA 1000 event. Eala, currently ranked No. 140 in the world, showed remarkable composure against Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, demonstrating fearless shot-making and unwavering confidence on the court.

A historic run: Three Grand Slam champions down

This win marks Eala’s third triumph over a Grand Slam champion in the tournament, having already defeated 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko and 2024 Australian Open champion Madison Keys in earlier rounds. Speaking after her victory, Eala struggled to contain her emotions. “I don’t know what to say, I mean, complete just disbelief right now and I am on cloud nine,” she said in her on-court interview. “It’s forever in my heart.” Eala’s match against Swiatek saw her dominate the first set, breaking the Polish star’s serve multiple times while Swiatek committed an uncharacteristic 19 unforced errors. In the second set, Eala staged a comeback from 2-4 down, holding her nerve to close out the match. Her stunning performance caught the attention of tennis legend Rafael Nadal, who reposted a clip of her win on Instagram, captioning it: "Let’s keep dreaming!"

From Quezon City to the global stage

Born on May 23, 2005, in Quezon City, Alexandra Maniego Eala has been a trailblazer for Philippine tennis. She made history in 2022 by becoming the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam singles title at the US Open Girls' Championship. Eala’s journey to professional tennis was shaped by a bold decision her family made when she was just 13 years old—sending her to the prestigious Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain. There, she trained under top-tier coaches and developed a game inspired by Nadal’s work ethic and mental toughness. “The academy has been my home for the past seven years,” Eala said. “Of course, my family should take credit for the foundation they laid before sending me there. But the academy built on that foundation in such a way that I'm able to be where I am now.” Her time at the academy exposed her to high-level competition and helped her refine her skills, ultimately paving the way for her transition to the WTA Tour.

What’s next for Eala?

With her historic victory over Swiatek, Eala is set to face either American fourth seed Jessica Pegula or 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the semifinals. Regardless of the outcome, she has already made history as the first Filipino to defeat a former Grand Slam champion at the WTA level since Eric Taino’s win over Michael Chang in 2003. Reflecting on her journey, Eala emphasized the importance of self-belief. "The court is not the place to belittle yourself. For me, it's all about the mindset," she said. With her fearless performance in Miami, Alexandra Eala has officially announced herself to the world as a rising star in women’s tennis. CAM/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page