Alex Eala stuns Iga Swiatek, advances to Miami Open semis

Alex Eala, a 19-year old Filipina tennis ace, pulled off one of the major upsets in the Miami Open as she stunned world no. 2 Iga Swiatek, 6-2, 7-5, in the quarterfinals of the tournament on early Thursday (Manila time).

Eala, ranked no. 140, will now advance to the semifinals as she waits for the winner of the quarters match between Emma Raducanu and Jessica Pegula.

The Filipina player has been on a roll in the Miami Open.

Eala, a wilcard entry in the tournament, opened her campaign with a win against world no. 23 Katie Volynets of the United States in the Round of 128.

From there, she defeated three Grand Slam champions en route to the semis.

In the Round of 64, Eala defeated WTA no. 25 and 2017 French Open titlist Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, before pulling off another one against WTA no. 5 and reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys of the US in the Round of 32.

Spain's Paula Badosa, her supposed opponent in the Round of 16, did not compete due to injury, handing Eala a walkover to the semis.

Eala has five titles under her belt in her pro career: W15 Manacor in 2021, W25 Chiang Rai in 2022, W25 Yecla and W25 Roehampton in 2023, and W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz in 2024.

She also had three doubles titles in 2024: W50 Pune (with Darja Semenistaja), W75 Croissy-Beaubourg (with Estelle Cascino), and W100 Vitoria - Gasteiz (with Estelle Cascino).

Eala also has Grand Slam junior doubles titles, with the first one back in 2020 in the Australian Open with Priska Madelyn Nugroho, followed by a French Open title with Oksana Selekhmeteva.

READ MORE | Alex Eala at the 2025 Miami Open

—JKC, GMA Integrated News