Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Article (news)

TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774134762174IMG_5785.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News</div>(UPDATED) At the Grandstand court, Alex Eala was all business as she brought her A game against Magda Linette of Poland at the Miami Open on Sunday.In the first set, Alex delivered solid groundstrokes from both sides, even making return winners off Linette’s second serve. She got the first break and led 5–3, capitalizing on her opponent’s errors.Alex came out strong in the second set, breaking Linette immediately and consolidating with her own serve to go up 2–0. Linette responded with a good service game to get on the board at 1–2, but the Filipina world No. 29 stayed crafty and composed. She mixed in drop shots and angled hits, keeping her opponent guessing.Eala led 3–1 and looked very comfortable on the Miami hard courts, confidently pulling the trigger to stay in control. Linette held serve in the fifth game to stay close, with Eala leading 3–2 at the changeover.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/21/alex-eala-back-in-training-ahead-of-linette-rematch-at-miami-open-1027">Alex Eala back in training ahead of Linette rematch at Miami Open </a></div>Linette then fought back to level at 3–3 and eventually took the lead at 4–3. Eala, however, stayed tough on her serve and tied it again at 4–4.Magda pushed ahead with a strong service game to lead 5–4, but Alex answered right back, holding at love to even it at 5–5.Linette showed resilience, coming back from 0–30 on her serve to edge ahead 6–5. But Eala responded once more, raising her level to force a 6–6 tie.In the tiebreak, Alex elevated her game even further, sealing the match 6–3, 7–6.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774134795314IMG_5842.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News</div>Eala clenched her fist, waved to her box, and smiled at the fans who came out to cheer her through another impressive win.After the match, Alex acknowledged her tough opponent: “Magda is such a fighter. She always puts me in difficult positions…”&quot;I really enjoyed the battle,&quot; she added.She added: “I like to think being aggressive is what I aim to do. Of course I have an amazing team who really help me take it to the next level.”The rise has been rapid for the young Filipina. At this time last year, she was ranked No. 140 in the world. Reflecting on her progress, Eala pointed to growth beyond just her game.“I think I’ve matured a lot in the past year. I’ve been put in high-pressure moments which I’m so thankful for,” she said.“It’s such a privilege to be back in Miami.”Up next for Eala is 13th seed Karolína Muchová in the fourth round. Muchova is currently ranked no. 14 in the WTA rankings with a 14/3 W/L record for 2026.This will be their first face-off in the WTA tour.

In the first set, Alex delivered solid groundstrokes from both sides, even making return winners off Linette’s second serve. She got the first break and led 5–3, capitalizing on her opponent’s errors.

In the first set, Alex delivered solid groundstrokes from both sides, even making return winners off Linette’s second serve. She got the first break and led 5–3, capitalizing on her opponent’s errors.

Alex Eala delivers another top level win vs Magda Linette in Miami

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Alex Eala delivers another top level win vs Magda Linette in Miami

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 22, 2026 07:00 AM PHT

|

Updated Mar 22, 2026 07:13 AM PHT

Read More:

Tennis

Alex Eala

Magda Linette

Miami Open

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