Camille Naredo

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates a point won against Jessica Pegula during their match on Day 10 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Al Bello, Getty Images/AFP

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates a point won against Jessica Pegula during their match on Day 10 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida.   Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by AL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Article (news)

Miami Open Presented by Itau 2025 - Day 10

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<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/1745317900177AFP__20250328__2207278424__v2__HighRes__MiamiOpenPresentedByItau2025Day10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates a point won against Jessica Pegula during their match on Day 10 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Al Bello, Getty Images/AFP"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates a point won against Jessica Pegula during their match on Day 10 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. <em>Al Bello, Getty Images/AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>(<strong>2ND</strong> <strong>UPDATE</strong>) Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is off to a flying start in the 2025 Madrid Open, sweeping Bulgaria&#x27;s Viktoriya Tomova, 6-3, 6-2, in the first round on Tuesday. </p><p>With the result, Eala is now set to face world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the round-of-64, after the defending champion drew a bye in the first round.</p><p>Eala memorably defeated Swiatek when they played in the quarterfinal of the Miami Open in late March.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/3/26/tennis-alex-eala-stuns-swiatek-advances-to-miami-open-semis-0250">READ: Alex Eala stuns Swiatek, advances to Miami Open semis</a></div><p>The Filipina, now ranked 72nd by the WTA, trailed 1-2 in the opening set but broke Tomova to tie the count. She then proceeded to win four consecutive points to take control of the frame en route to a 6-3 win.</p><p>Riding that momentum, Eala surged to a 4-1 lead in the second set before Tomova finally stopped the bleeding. But the Filipina teenager held her nerve and broke world No. 64 Tomova in the next game on her way to victory.</p><p>Eala and Tomova had played at center court in Madrid, which the Filipina teenager called &quot;a big honor.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RARING TO FACE SWIATEK</strong></div><p>After her win, Eala couldn’t hide her excitement about her victory and experience of playing on one of tennis’ grandest stages.</p><p>“Super fun! It was huge and the atmosphere was just incredible,” Eala said. “I’m so happy with the way I performed and I kept my cool throughout the whole match.”</p><p>Eala produced excellent points, including a standout volley that had the crowd on its feet. She also displayed great poise through tight moments.</p><p>“I think you just have to go with no doubts and trust your shots. It happens in every match. There are tough games in every match and tough moments,” said the 19-year old.  “So, trust that I know how to deal with it.”</p><p>When asked about how the clay court played, she said:  “Conditions change a lot depending on the weather more than the court, but it’s one of the best clay courts you can ever play on.”</p><p>Eala was often seen communicating with Rafa Nadal Academy coach Joan Bosch in Spanish too.</p><p>“If I could talk to him in Tagalog, I would,” she said. “But wala naman nakakaintindi ng Tagalog. Spanish is the next best thing.”</p><p>She explained that the interactions with Bosch is more about keeping her mentally sharp than making big tactical adjustments: “Most of the time, it’s just cheering me on, keeping me focused.”</p><p>As for her upcoming match with Swiatek, Eala says her mentality will be the same. </p><p>“[I’m going in] with the same mentality as every match,” Eala said. &quot;She’s a big player, so I have to be ready for what she’s gonna bring.&quot;</p><p>“Just because I beat her last time, it’s not like, oh, I’m gonna beat her this time,” she added. “The work&#x27;s not done yet, and the pressure is not over yet.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></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/CnvXmEhg0HQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is off to a flying start in the 2025 Madrid Open, sweeping Bulgaria's Viktoriya Tomova, 6-3, 6-2, in the first round on Tuesday.</p>

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is off to a flying start in the 2025 Madrid Open, sweeping Bulgaria's Viktoriya Tomova, 6-3, 6-2, in the first round on Tuesday.

Tennis: Alex Eala ousts Bulgaria's Tomova, sets up Swiatek rematch

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Tennis: Alex Eala ousts Bulgaria's Tomova, sets up Swiatek rematch

Camille B. Naredo,

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 22, 2025 06:32 PM PHT

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Updated April 23, 2025 01:32 AM PHT

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tennis

Alex Eala

Viktoriya Tomova

Iga Swiatek

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