Eala shocks Ostapenko in Miami

March 23, 2025 | 12:00am

Alex Eala soared to greater heights, pulling off historic victory over the world No. 25 and 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, 7-6(2), 7-5, in the Miami Open yesterday at the Hardrock Stadium in Florida.

Eala, WTA No. 140, became the first Filipina player to beat a WTA Top-30 player as she stormed to the elite Round of 32 as one of select wildcard entries.

The 19-year-old Filipina ace erased a 4-0 deficit in the first set and wasted a 4-0 lead of her own in the second as both duels went to tiebreakers, where she stamped her steely resolve for the gutsy sweep in one hour and 53 minutes.

Eala’s crisp service game clinched it for her as the return of Ostapenko, 27, former world No. 5 and Roland Garros winner eight years ago, went straight through the net for a 40-30 Eala win in the 12th game of the second set.

Eala previously scored a big win against world No. 73 Katie Volynets of the United States, 6-3, 7-6(3), for her first-ever Miami Open main draw victory.

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal, her mentor at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain where she graduated in 2023, congratulated Eala for her massive feat.

“Congratulations Alex. What a great win for you and for the Philippines,” said Nadal.

Eala’s Cinderella run continues in the Round of 32 albeit against a stronger foe in WTA No. 5 Madison Keys of the USA.

Keys drubbed Elina Avanesyan of Armenia, 6-3, 6-3, in their own pairing to arrange a duel with the Pinay sensation.

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek advanced into the third round after surviving a second set dip to beat France’s Caroline Garcia 6-2, 7-5.

Meanwhile, world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock early exit as Belgian veteran David Goffin fought back for an inspired 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win.