Alexandra Eala, who graduated from the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2023, became the first Filipina to reach a tour-level semifinal.
Alexandra Eala, Toni Nadal (Image via X/Tennis Channel, Rafa Nadal Academy)
Alexandra Eala has enjoyed a dream run at the 2025 Miami Open. The teenager was responsible for the elimination of three Grand Slam champions.
Her first victim was 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko in the second round. In the following round, 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys was Ealaās next target.
The 19-year-old then registered the biggest victory of her career when she toppled World No.2 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals, denying the Pole an opportunity to inch closer to her first title since the 2024 French Open. Eala, a Rafa Nadal Academy graduate, was battling with Swiatek in front of Rafael Nadalās uncle and former coach Toni Nadal, who analyzed the teen sensationās match and is expecting more incredible results from her.
Sheās a girl Iāve always believed in. For us, itās an achievement because sheās the one whoās been with us the longest, training here for almost six years. During all that time, thereās never been a single complaint, neither from her nor from her family.
Toni Nadal said (H/T: Punto de Break)
Eala went to the tennis academy in Mallorca at the age of 13 and graduated in 2023. Swiatek was present during the ceremony and Eala also has a picture of her posing along with Nadal and Swiatek when she graduated from the academy.
Sheās showing her full potential. Beating the worldās No. 5 and the worldās No. 2 in the same tournament is no easy feat. Beating players of this level means that, as long as you keep improving, you can be among the best in the world.
Toni Nadal added
Alexandra Eala ended the Miami Open campaign with defeat to Jessica Pegula
Eala was on the verge of ousting Jessica Pegula in the semifinals. But it was the home favorite who used her experience to make an impressive comeback to come on top of the youngster with scores of 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3 in two hours and 26 minutes.
It was tough. I played a good first set, a little letdown in the second, got it back, went up 2-0 in the tiebreak, but it kind of flipped. She started moving the ball really well, serving good. Sometimes it just happens, but I just wanted to come out in the third really strong, really quick, and just kind of jump on her and not keep the third set too close.
Jessica Pegula said during her on-court interview
Before Eala, Pegula also ended 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanuās campaign in the quarterfinals. Pegula, the runner-up at the 2024 US Open, reached her first final at the Miami Open.
She will next lock horns with World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated two-time Grand Slam singles finalist Jasmine Paolini. The Belarusian holds a 6-2 lead in the head-to-head encounter with the 31-year-old.
Alexandra Eala scripted history at the Miami Open after beating Iga Swiatek
Eala etched her name on record books with her win over Iga Swiatek. She became the first player from the Philippines to move to a tour-level semifinal. After beating the five-time Grand Slam champion, Eala became the third wild card to advance to the last four in the tournament after Justine Henin (2010) and Victoria Azarenka (2018).
The World No.140ās win over Swiatek also guaranteed her a spot inside the top 100, making her the first Filipina to do so. Eala also became the second wild card to secure victories over two or more Grand Slam champions in a tour-level event following Elina Svitolina at the 2023 Wimbledon. She is only the third player ranked outside the top 100 to beat Swiatek in a WTA main draw.
