Upset at Miami Open: tournament victor Madison Keys outdone by Filipino teen prodigy Alexandra Eala
Alexandra Eala, the Filipina Phenom on a Roll
The 19-year-old tennis prodigy Alexandra Eala sent shockwaves through the Miami Open after handing Australian Open champion Madison Keys a stunning 6-4, 6-2 defeat in the third round. Eala, ranked 140 in the world, racked up six service breaks on her way to another eye-catching victory.
Before this triumph, Eala had already made Filipino tennis history by becoming the first player from the nation to record a victory over a top-30 opponent when she defeated 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in the second round. Now, she has not only secured her, but also the Philippines' second win over a top-30 player. In beating world No. 5 Keys, Eala is also the first Filipino player to record a top-10 win since the rankings were introduced in 1975, per the WTA.
Speaking to reporters, Eala expressed her awe at her own achievements. "I don't think I've had the time to process everything that's happened, so I'm taking it step by step and just focusing on what I need to do next," she said. "It's a big thing to take in, and I'm so super proud of what I was able to accomplish, but it definitely fuels me more."
Having trained at Rafael Nadal's academy since she was 13, Eala will face No. 10 seed Paula Badosa in the round of 16 after the Spaniard defeated Denmark's Clara Tauson. Interestingly, Eala's three wins at this year's Miami Open are more than every other Filipino tennis player has managed combined at the tournament in the Open Era, according to the WTA.
From a humble beginning, Eala has risen through the ranks to become one of tennis' most exciting prospects. Winning the US Open girls' singles title in 2022 and the girls' doubles titles at the 2021 French Open and 2020 Australian Open, she has proven her strength in both singles and doubles play.
Meanwhile, Mirra Andreeva's remarkable 13-match winning streak was ended by American Amanda Anisimova in a thrilling three-set classic, 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3. Andreeva, 17, became the youngest woman since Martina Hingis in 1997 to win back-to-back WTA 1000 titles after picking up tournament wins in Dubai and Indian Wells. Anisimova, who won the WTA 1000 Qatar Open earlier this season, will now face 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the round of 16.
Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic added another historic feat to his already impressive resumé, breaking Rafael Nadal's record for most match wins at Masters 1000 events. The 24-time grand slam singles champion picked up victory No. 411 at ATP Masters 1000 events by defeating Argentina's Camilo Ugo Carabelli (6-1, 7-6(1)). Djokovic will face Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in the round of 16 as he looks to win a record-extending seventh Miami Open title.
Alexandra Eala:- Record-breaking Filipino teen, securing her and the Philippines' second win over a top-30 player- First Filipino player to record a top-10 win since the rankings were introduced in 1975- Trained at Rafael Nadal's academy since 2008- Won 2022 US Open girls' singles title, as well as the girls' doubles titles at the 2021 French Open and 2020 Australian Open
Sources:[1] ATP World Tour - Alexandra Eala[2] WTA - Alexandra Eala[3] The Manila Times - Alexandra Eala stuns Madison Keys, ends PH tennis drought[4] Guardian - Alexandra Eala: Filipina teenager shocks Madison Keys to reach Miami Open quarter-finals[5] ABS-CBN Sports - Alexandra Eala eyes continued success as she preps for Miami Open
- Alexandra Eala's victory over Madison Keys not only secured a second win over a top-30 player for herself, but also for the Philippines, making history in the process.
- Having been trained at Rafael Nadal's academy since she was 13, Eala is focusing on her next challenge in the Miami Open, where she will face No. 10 seed Paula Badosa.
- Eala, who has proven her strength in both singles and doubles play, is one of tennis' most exciting prospects, having already won the US Open girls' singles title in 2022 and the girls' doubles titles at the 2021 French Open and 2020 Australian Open.
