Alex Eala exits dream run in Miami Open 2025
Alex Eala's impressive run at the Miami Open ended on Friday, March 28, as the Filipina tennis star lost the match against American tennis star and world no. 4 Jessica Pegula, with the scores 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3, in the semifinals.
The 19-year-old Filipina pro tennis player jumped to an early 5-2 lead in the first set, but Jessica fought back to claim the game.
Early in the second set, Alex took a medical timeout as her ankle was attended to while Jessica led 3-1. Despite the setback, Alex bounced back, winning consecutive points to level the set. She then surged ahead at 4-3, but Jessica responded with two straight games to reclaim the lead at 5-4.
Undeterred, Alex powered through, forcing a 5-all tie before edging ahead at 6-5.
As both players were not showing signs of stopping while battling for a crucial point, Alex completed her comeback in the second set, forcing a decider.
Pegula and Eala traded points in a tight third set, staying level at 3-3. However, 31-year-old Jessica emerged as the winner, securing her a spot in the final against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.
Despite the loss, Alex's run at the Miami Open was historic, with spectacular victories over higher-ranked opponents. After the match, she took in the crowd's energy, raising her fists in appreciation as cheers echoed around her.
She said in an interview, "Of course there is disappointment right after the match."
"But there are just so many times in tennis where you have to dig through the dirt to look for the positive and I'm just enjoying it because there is so much positive around me and I don't know how many times that happens," Alex added.
In an on-court interview, Jessica praised Alex, ""She's really good, [a] really good tennis player."
"Goes for her shots, takes the ball early. Being a lefty is always tricky. [She] competes really well. Obviously, she has beaten a lot of players this week, I don't really think she needs me to tell her that she's a great player."
"She proved that tonight. That was really tough," she added.
Before bowing out to Jessica, the Filipina tennis player put together an incredible run, starting with a commanding second-round win over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.
She then stunned reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the third round. Her determination paved the way when world No. 11 Paula Badosa of Spain withdrew due to a back injury, giving Alex a walkover into the quarterfinals.
On March 27, Alex delivered her most electrifying performance yet, dominating world No. 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5.
An update on the Women's Tennis Association website states Alex is expected to enter the top 100 of the rankings when it updates on Monday, March 31. She is set to become the first Filipina tennis player to enter the top 100 of the world rankings.
Get to know Alex Eala in this gallery:
