Alex Eala advances to Miami Open quarterfinals as Spanish foe withdraws

The dream continues for Alex Eala in Florida as she punched a quarterfinal ticket to the 2025 Miami Open following a withdrawal by her Round of 16 opponent on early Tuesday (Manila time).

The FIlipina tennis sensation advanced to the Top 8 after world no. 11 Paula Badosa withdrew from the match due to an injury as announced by the World Tennis Association (WTA).

Eala, who came into the tournament as a wildcard player, is coming off a pair of huge victories that saw her edge out two Grand Slam winners.

She defeated 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in the Round of 64 before getting the better of fifth-seeded Madison Keys of the USA in the Round of 32.

She's now tipped for a tougher challenge ahead as Eala is primed to face either Elina Svitolina of Ukraine or Iga Swiatek of Poland, a bronze medalist during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News