Filipina tennis prodigy Alex Eala continues her remarkable run at the Miami Open, pulling off a stunning upset against world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals on Thursday morning (Manila time). The 19-year-old sensation dispatched the five-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 7-5, securing her spot in the semifinals. Eala’s path to the final four has been nothing short of extraordinary. Prior to her victory over Swiatek, she had already toppled former French Open champion and world No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko, as well as reigning Australian Open champion and world No. 5 Madison Keys, before receiving a walkover into the quarterfinals.
Facing Swiatek, Eala showcased her fearless play and rising talent. She dominated the opening set with 10 winners, including precise forehand down-the-line shots that left Swiatek reeling, while capitalizing on the Pole’s 19 unforced errors. Eala maintained her composure in the second set to seal the biggest win of her career thus far.
Next up, Eala will face the winner of the quarterfinal clash between Emma Raducanu and world No. 4 Jessica Pegula, as she aims to continue her dream run in Miami.
Eala’s breakout performance can be attributed to her enhanced footwork, speed, and agility—skills honed through dedicated training with her coach Alex Bosch and the team at the Rafa Nadal Academy. “Many people have noticed she looks lighter on her feet and moves with more intensity,” Bosch remarked. “This is something we’ve been working on, especially over the past year. We’ve focused more on precision with the fitness coaches at the academy, and she’s embraced it fully.”
Bosch highlighted Eala’s consistency and determination, noting, “She started slow with some running drills, but she stuck with it. We still have work to do, but she’s moving better than ever.” Ahead of the Swiatek match, he emphasized her mental strength as a critical factor. “Alex is incredibly smart—she listens, understands, and believes in herself. To beat players like this, that belief is everything.” With her sights set on the semifinals, Eala’s meteoric rise signals the arrival of a new force in women’s tennis.
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