Jamaine Punzalan

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines serves to Laura Siegemund of Germany on Day 3 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on March 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Matthew Stockman, Getty Images/AFP

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Miami Open Presented by Itau 2026 - Day 3

TJ Manotoc

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/1773962347344AFP__20260319__2267433113__v1__MidRes__MiamiOpenPresentedByItau2026Day3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Alexandra Eala of the Philippines serves to Laura Siegemund of Germany on Day 3 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on March 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Matthew Stockman, Getty Images/AFP  </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MIAMI -- Filipina tennis star Alex Eala showed resilience and composure under pressure, battling past veteran Laura Siegemund in a thrilling three-set encounter at Hard Rock Stadium, 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-3, to advance to the 3rd round in the Miami Open.</p><p>Eala came out firing in the opening set, holding serve confidently and breaking early to race to a 3-0 lead. Her aggressive baseline play, highlighted by multiple down-the-line backhand winners, kept Siegemund on the defensive. But the experienced German slowly found her rhythm, mixing in net approaches and forcing extended rallies to claw her way back into the set.</p><p>Despite holding four set points, including one in the tiebreak, Eala was unable to close it out. Siegemund capitalized on key errors and edged the tie breaker 8-6 to steal the first set.</p><p>But Eala regrouped in the second. She secured an early break and maintained control with strong service games, including a pair of love-holds. Staying aggressive on returns, she broke again late in the set to seal it 6-3 and force a decider.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/17/alex-eala-returns-to-miami-as-world-no-29-1155">Alex Eala returns to Miami as world No. 29</a></div><p>“I really had to dig deep,” she said after the match. “I know that Laura is such a fighter, so I’m happy with my patience and my strength—both physically and mentally today.” </p><p>The third set saw Eala elevate her level even further. She saved break points early before taking control with an aggressive return game to go up 2-0. While Siegemund briefly threatened with a break of her own, Eala responded immediately and never relinquished momentum. Another break pushed her ahead 3-1, and she continued to dictate play with composed shot-making and timely serving.</p><p>Serving for the match at 5-3, Eala stayed steady to close out the victory and complete the comeback.</p><div><iframe width="725" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cGvu-LZZp5Y" title="Alex Eala talks about what it took to win match vs Laura Siegemund" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>After the match, Eala spoke on court and reflected on her growth and mindset since her breakout appearance in Miami last year.  </p><p>“It means the world to me and it tested out my progress… I have improved as a person from last year. I’m really happy, especially to have been able to compete today—going against an amazing fighter.” she said.</p><p>The match, which stretched three hours and twenty minutes, it tested both players physically and mentally but Eala’s composure ultimately made the difference.</p><p>Even after dropping the first set, the Filipina remained steady in her mindset.</p><p>“All the work’s been done before this tournament,” Eala explained. “Even when I lost the first set, I was just like—that was a good first set. She played well when it counted.”</p><p>That perspective reflects a broader growth in Eala’s game and approach over the past year, as she continues her first full season on tour.</p><p>“I think it’s been a progression,” she said. “Seeing the work I put in behind the scenes come to life on court… even when I lose, it’s always part of the process.”</p><p>Now back in Miami where she made her breakthrough run last year, Eala is embracing both the expectations and the support that come with it.</p><p>“There’s definitely pressure coming back,” she admitted. “But I’m happy because I’ve been doing well throughout the year, this isn’t the tournament where everything’s on the line.”</p><p>With another statement win under her belt, Eala moves forward in the tournament with confidence, momentum, and the belief that she belongs among the game’s rising stars.</p><p>Eala now will face a familiar foe in <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/20/second-seeded-swiatek-crashes-out-of-miami-open-0855">Magda Linette</a>, who upset Polish compatriot Iga Swiatek in three sets, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3.</p><p>Eala last beat Linette at the ASB Classic in Auckland, 6-3, 6-2 victory to reach the semifinals. The Filipina previously lost both of her earlier meetings with Linette, at Nottingham in 2025 and Abu Dhabi in 2024</p><p>Eala, who spoke to the media prior to the Linette-Swiatek match, said she is looking forward to matching up against either Polish star again.</p><p>“The fact that I&#x27;m able to put myself in a position where a potential match up with Iga or even Magda is a possibility I think that&#x27;s a really positive sign for me especially after today&#x27;s match,” Eala said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/19/alex-eala-driving-global-attention-to-tennis-says-nyt-s-matthew-futterman-1432">Alex Eala driving global attention to tennis, says NYT&#x27;s Matthew Futterman</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/18/heat-coach-spo-wish-alex-eala-luck-in-miami-open-1622">Heat, Coach Spo wish Alex Eala luck in Miami Open</a><br/><br/></div><div><iframe width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qroMzuo3OkQ" title="EXCLUSIVE: Alex Eala finally talks about THAT viral meme, partnering with Coco, and tennis besties" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>The match, which stretched three hours and twenty minutes, it tested both players physically and mentally but Eala’s composure ultimately made the difference.</p><div><br/></div><p>Even after dropping the first set, the Filipina remained steady in her mindset.</p><div><br/></div><p>“All the work’s been done before this tournament,” Eala explained. “Even when I lost the first set, I was just like—that was a good first set. She played well when it counted.”</p><div><br/></div><p>That perspective reflects a broader growth in Eala’s game and approach over the past year, as she continues her first full season on tour.</p><div><br/></div><p>“I think it’s been a progression,” she said. “Seeing the work I put in behind the scenes come to life on court… even when I lose, it’s always part of the process.”</p><div><br/></div><p>Now back in Miami where she made her breakthrough run last year, Eala is embracing both the expectations and the support that come with it.</p><div><br/></div><p>“There’s definitely pressure coming back,” she admitted. “But I’m happy because I’ve been doing well throughout the year, this isn’t the tournament where everything’s on the line.”</p><div><br/></div><p>With another statement win under her belt, Eala moves forward in the tournament with confidence, momentum, and the belief that she belongs among the game’s rising stars.</p><div><br/></div><p>Nonetheless, the 2nd round win marks a strong start to Eala’s Miami Open campaign, showcasing both her mental toughness and continued development against seasoned competition.</p>

<p>Eala rallies past Siegemund in gritty three-set battle to advance at Miami Open</p>

Eala rallies past Siegemund in gritty three-set battle to advance at Miami Open

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Eala rallies past Siegemund in gritty three-set battle to advance at Miami Open

TJ Manotoc,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 20, 2026 04:25 AM PHT

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Updated March 21, 2026 04:46 AM PHT

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Alex Eala

Laura Siegemund

Miami Open

WTA

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