Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts at match point after defeating Iga Swiatek of Poland on Day 9 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 26, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Al Bello, Getty Images/AFP

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 26: Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts at match point after defeating Iga Swiatek of Poland on Day 9 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 26, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida.   Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by AL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Miami Open Presented by Itau 2025 - Day 9

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Dyan Castillejo

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1743018200411AFP__20250326__2207054753__v1__HighRes__MiamiOpenPresentedByItau2025Day9.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts at match point after defeating Iga Swiatek of Poland on Day 9 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 26, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Al Bello, Getty Images/AFP"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts at match point after defeating Iga Swiatek of Poland on Day 9 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 26, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. <em>Al Bello, Getty Images/AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- The dream run continues for Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala.</p><p>In a massive upset, Eala ousted world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinal of the Miami Open, 6-2, 7-5, on Thursday morning (Manila time).</p><p>It was the latest of a stunning string of results for the 19-year-old Eala, who had already beaten former French Open champion and world No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko and reigning Australian Open champion and world No. 5 Madison Keys.</p><p>She received a walkover to the last eight when her opponent, world No. 11 Paula Badosa of Spain, withdrew due to a back injury.</p><p>Against Swiatek -- a five-time Grand Slam champion -- Eala again rose to the level of her competition and showed no fear of the moment.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m in complete disbelief right now. I&#x27;m on cloud nine. So thank you everybody who came to watch, and thanks to everyone who&#x27;s watching from home,&quot; said Eala, ranked No. 140 in the world, after her stunning win.</p><p>&quot;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 gonna give you the win,&quot; she added when asked to reflect on her performance.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/3/26/tennis-alex-eala-doing-many-good-things-in-dream-miami-open-run-1742">READ: Alex Eala &#x27;doing many good things&#x27; in dream Miami Open run</a></div><p>Eala fired 10 winners in the opening set, catching Swiatek off-guard with her forehand down-the-line hits while also benefiting from a whopping 19 unforced errors from the Pole.</p><p>Armed with momentum, Eala surged to a 2-0 lead in the second set before Swiatek found her rhythm, winning four straight games to take control. The Filipina teenager regrouped, however, and broke Swiatek for the eighth time at 6-5 to seal the win.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m loving the way I&#x27;m out there on court. I&#x27;m trusting my shots, and I have a good team telling me I can do it,&quot; she told the Tennis Channel desk.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/maG9TzsuVeM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>The twin influences on her career were evident in her box -- her parents had flown in from the Philippines for the game as had an uncle and cousin based in Seattle but sat with them was Toni Nadal, the Spanish great&#x27;s uncle and former coach, representing the academy.</p><p>&quot;It means a lot that he showed up. It showed his confidence and the confidence of the Academy in me,&quot; said Eala.</p><p>It was also a full circle moment for Eala, who had her photo taken with Swiatek two years ago when she graduated from the Rafa Nadal Academy. </p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s so surreal because I feel like I&#x27;m the exact same person that I was in that photo, but of course circumstances have changed,&quot; said the Filipina star. &quot;I&#x27;m so happy and so blessed to be able to compete with such a player on this stage.&quot;</p><div><strong>SEMIFINALS</strong></div><p>In the semifinals, Eala will play the winner of the quarterfinal between Emma Raducana and world No. 4 Jessica Pagula. </p><p>Her world ranking will shoot up to about 75 from 140 after the massive win.</p><p>&quot;Faith and belief and self-esteem. I feel that&#x27;s what&#x27;s gonna get you through tough times. It will take everything in me. Next match won&#x27;t be less tough. It will be even more tough,&quot; she said.</p><p>In the other semifinal, it will be world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka against Italy&#x27;s Jasmine Paolini.</p><p>Sabalenka battled back in the second set to blast her way into the semi-finals of the Miami Open with a 6-2, 7-5 win over China&#x27;s Zheng Qinwen.</p><p>Meanwhile, Paolini moved into the semi-finals with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Poland&#x27;s Magda Linette. -- <strong>with Agence France-Presse</strong></p><div><strong></strong><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ireHe6TkEEk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gJ2BDvgY7zg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

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Tennis: Alex Eala stuns Swiatek, advances to Miami Open semis

Tennis: Alex Eala stuns Swiatek, advances to Miami Open semis

ABS-CBN News,

Dyan Castillejo

Published Mar 27, 2025 02:50 AM PHT

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Updated Mar 27, 2025 04:07 PM PHT

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