Alexandra Eala, presently ranked a hundred and fortieth on the planet, is drawing consideration on the Miami Open together with her spectacular performances. Within the second spherical, the younger expertise from the Philippines triumphed over world quantity 25 Jelena Ostapenko 7-6, 7-5 after a good battle.
Rafael Nadal acknowledged Eala’s notable achievement. It is an anticipated gesture given Alexandra’s connection to the Rafa Nadal Academy, the place she honed her expertise earlier than graduating in 2023. This February, Alexandra and Rafa met in Mallorca.
The legend congratulated her and wished her properly in her tennis journey. It is exhausting to not really feel optimistic about her future primarily based on her sturdy displaying on the Miami Open!
Congratulations Alex! What an important win for you and for 🇵🇭! 👏🏻 https://t.co/mfEM7PR6o9
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) March 21, 2025
The Filipina will face one other stern take a look at within the third spherical. Her subsequent rival? The Australian Open champion, Madison Keys. Eala and Ostapenko battled for almost two hours. A youngster managed to win 9 factors greater than her rival, together with the pivotal ones.
Alexandra excelled her recreation throughout crucial moments and defended 11 of 15 break factors to cut back the harm in her video games. Ostapenko performed in opposition to 12 break factors, shedding serve 5 instances and struggling an early defeat.
The extra skilled participant was off to a dependable begin. Jelena seized the fifth break level within the first recreation of the duel with a backhand winner. World no. 25 supplied one other break within the third recreation after a forehand winner, extending her benefit.
Alexandra Eala, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Eala launched her comeback at 0-4. She held within the fifth recreation and pulled one break again with a forehand down the road return winner a couple of minutes later. A youngster held for 3-4 and notched one other break in recreation eight to lock the end result at 4-4.
Alexandra fended off a break level in recreation 9, and the set went right into a tie break after three high-quality holds. The 19-year-old did every little thing proper, claiming all factors behind the preliminary shot and protecting the strain on the opposite aspect.
Eala cast the lead within the third level and gained two factors on serve for a 4-1 lead. Ostapenko missed a backhand within the seventh level, and her rival generated 4 set factors with a service winner. Alexandra transformed the primary, clinching the opener 7-6 and gaining confidence.
Alexandra Eala, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Feeling energized, the Filipina grabbed a break within the first recreation of the second set with a forehand winner. She scored one other break two video games later and moved nearer to the end line. Ostapenko landed a winner on the web at 1-4 and began her comeback.
She held for 3-4 and made one other push on the return in recreation eight. Jelena fired a backhand down the road winner for a break at love and 4-4. World no. 25 denied three set factors in recreation 9 and earned a set level on the return within the subsequent one.
Alexandra Eala, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
A youngster saved it and landed a service winner for 5-5 and extra drama. Eala stepped in on the return at 5-5 and welcomed Ostapenko’s double fault for a vital benefit. Alexandra supplied a high-quality maintain at 6-5, shifting excessive and reserving her spot within the third spherical.
Subsequent up for Eala is Madison Keys, the Australian Open champion! Alexandra is keen to leverage her momentum and safe one other notable triumph on the Arduous Rock Stadium, wishing to compete within the second week.
