Camille Naredo

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/File

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)

Article (news)

Miami Open Presented by Itau 2025 - Day 9

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773816348950AFP__20250326__2207054753__v1__Preview__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/File" width="960"/><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/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Alex Eala is poised for a blockbuster return to the Hard Rock Stadium this week, under vastly different circumstances than last year.</p><p>In 2025, Eala competed in the Miami Open as a wildcard and promptly took the tournament by storm. She recorded milestone after milestone -- none bigger than a <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">6-2, 7-5 upset of world No. 2 Iga Świątek</a> in the quarterfinals.</p><p>Though she lost to Jessica Pegula in the semis -- in a competitive 6-7, 7-5, 3-6 affair -- the run cemented Eala&#x27;s place as a rising star on the WTA Tour.</p><p>What followed was a whirlwind year that saw the Filipina make her debut at Wimbledon and the US Open. In New York, she <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/8/24/alex-eala-stuns-14th-seed-tauson-makes-historic-us-open-breakthrough-1435">beat Clara Tauson in the first round</a>, writing more history as the first Filipino to win a match in a major in the Open era.</p><p>She ended the year by winning her first WTA 125 title in Guadalajara and claiming the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/12/18/sea-games-alex-eala-dominates-thai-foe-nets-ph-s-first-women-s-singles-gold-in-26-years-1247">gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games</a>. Along the way, Eala built a rapidly growing fanbase, with Filipinos packing the stands to watch her matches -- and even her practice sessions. </p><p>She has had a promising start in 2026, reaching the fourth round at Indian Wells just before her highly-anticipated return to the Miami Open.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/11/tennis-alex-eala-bows-out-of-indian-wells-with-loss-to-linda-noskov-1231">READ: Alex Eala bows out of Indian Wells with loss to Linda Nosková</a></div><p>This time, Eala is well aware that she is taking no one by surprise. She has risen to as high as No. 29 in the world, and even the sport&#x27;s most high-profile players know of what she brings both on and off the court. </p><p>Expectations are higher now, as well, but the Filipina ace has shown an impressive propensity for dealing with pressure.</p><p>&quot;They can definitely expect my fighting spirit,&quot; Eala told TJ Manotoc of ABS-CBN News, when asked what fans can ask of her at the Miami Open. &quot;They can expect me giving my best.&quot;</p><p>&quot;I think, no matter what happens this week I&#x27;m still– I think I&#x27;ll be happy. I&#x27;ve been doing really well this past year and I&#x27;m fortunate enough to come into this Miami (Open) in a different circumstance than last year,&quot; she also said. </p><p>After making it as a wildcard last year, Eala enters this year&#x27;s tournament as the 31st seed. She received a first-round bye, and will play Laura Siegemund of Germany in the second round. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/17/alex-eala-returns-to-miami-as-world-no-29-1155">READ: Alex Eala returns to Miami as world No. 29</a></div><p>If she hurdles Siegemund, Eala is on a possible collision course with No. 2 seed Świątek, who will be up against fellow Polish player Magda Linette on the other side of the bracket.</p><p>Eala knows there is no certainty that she can duplicate last year&#x27;s historic run -- &quot;Maybe it will happen again, maybe it won&#x27;t,&quot; she says -- but what she is sure of is that opportunities will keep coming her way.</p><p>&quot;The whole tour is not dependent on one tournament,&quot; she pointed out. &quot;This started it all for me and I&#x27;d love, love, love to do it again [but] we never know.&quot;</p><p>&quot;But either way,&quot; she adds, &quot;I&#x27;m happy to be here and happy to compete and be healthy.&quot;</p><p>Eala plays Siegemund on Friday, Manila time. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable fr-active" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qroMzuo3OkQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Alex Eala is poised for a blockbuster return to the Hard Rock Stadium this week, under vastly different circumstances than last year.</p>

Alex Eala is poised for a blockbuster return to the Hard Rock Stadium this week, under vastly different circumstances than last year.

In return to Miami Open, Alex Eala banks anew on her fighting spirit

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In return to Miami Open, Alex Eala banks anew on her fighting spirit

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 18, 2026 02:47 PM PHT

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