FILIPINO tennis sensation Alex Eala got off to a rousing start in the 2025 Miami Open, prevailing over a higher-ranked opponent on Thursday (Philippine time), March 20, in Florida.

In a match that lasted nearly two hours, Eala saved two break points to nip world No. 73 Katie Volynets of the US, 6-3, 7-6 (3).

By beating Volynets, the 19-year-old Eala, ranked No. 140 in the world, earned her first major Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) victory while also posting her first ever win in the main draw round of the prestigious tournament.

Volynets was somehow favored against Eala, who only made it to the competition after earning one of the seven wildcard berths in this WTA1000 event

After overcoming Volynets, a more daunting task awaits Eala as her second round ssignment will be against 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia.

It will be Ostapenko’s first match in the tournament after she earned an opening round bye.

The 27-year-old Ostapenko is ranked No. 5 in the doubles ranking and is at No. 25 in the singles ranking.(CCM)

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• #Alex Eala
• #2025 Miami Open
• #Florida
• #Katie Volynets
• #Women’s Tennis Association
• #Jelena Ostapenko