Magical run ends as Eala loses in Miami Open semis

Sports

HER Cinderella run in the 2025 Miami Open came to a screeching halt, but even in defeat, Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala still drew immense admiration.

Eala put up a gallant stand but ultimately fell, bowing to world No. 4 Jessica Pegula of the United States, 6-7 (3), 7-5, 3-6, in their semifinal duel on Friday (Philippine time), March 28, at the Stadium in Miami, FLorida

Eala gave Pegula all she could handle, putting the same grit and determination that she showed in the early stages of the tournament.

A wildcard in the tournament, Eala made a lot of noise when she took down three Grand Slam champions on her way to clinching a semifinal seat.

Eala looked good early, racing to a 2-0 lead in the first set. Pegula recovered and tied the first set at 2-all before Eala roared back to build a 5-2 lead.

Eala couldn’t close out the first set as Pegula won three straight games to even the count, 5-5, and eventually took the opening frame, 7-6.

Smarting from the tough first-set loss, the 19-year-old Eala was razor-sharp in the second set where she broke Pegula’s serve thrice while bucking a twisted ankle to send the match into a deciding third set.

Eala’s ankle had to be taped during a medical timeout in the fourth game of the second set.

The outcome of the match was still hanging in the balance before Pegula won two straight games in the final set, turning a 3-3 standof into a commainding 5-3 lead.

"Nothing to be ashamed of. Alex did not win the tournament nor make the finals. But she won the respect and the hearts not only of the great tennis players but of the world. Keep moving forward. Vamos Alex!” said Alex's uncle, former Philippine Sports Commission head Noli Eala, in a social media post.

A fellow world-class Filipino athlete also congratulated Eala for her stellar showing in the tournament.

"You rock, Alex Eala," said top Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao was also quick to give Eala her flowers.

"You may have not made the finals, but you won the hearts of the world, Alex Eala. The whole nation is proud. This is just the beginning. Keep fighting and inspiring. You've shown the heart of a true champion. Laban lang! The future is bright for you. Proud na proud kami sa'yo," Pacquiao said in his own social media post.

Even Eala’s tormentor had nothing but praises for the youthful athlete.

“She’s really good, a really good tennis player. Obviously, she’s beaten a lot of top players this week. I don’t really think she needs me to tell her that she’s a great player,” said Pegula, who will play world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the championship round.

Though she failed to advance to the finals, the stellar run improved Eala’s Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings, jumping from 140th spot to a career-high 75th.

The giant-slaying performance also netted Eala a cash earnings of $332,160 (around P19.1 million).(CCM)