Stellar Miami Open run guarantees Eala mouth-watering P10-million purse

Sports

ALEX Eala looks to continue her Cinderella run in the 2025 Miami Open when she faces Polish star Iga Swiatek in what is by far her biggest match in her young career early morning on Thursday (Philippine time), March 27.

Win or lose, the Filipino tennis sensation will be going home with a hefty paycheck.

By making it to the tournament’s quarterfinal round, the 19-year-old Eala is guaranteed to receive a whopping purse of $189,075 (around P10.8 million).

The cash purse could even increase if Eala could sustain her giant-slaying ways as she shoots for a semifinal berth against the world No. 2 Swiatek.

Eala, ranked 140 in the world, and the 23-year-old Swiatek have never faced each other in any tournament. One of their off-court meetings happened in 2023 when Eala graduated from the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy, where Swiatek served as the guest of honor.

Swiatek is a proven winner. Her illustrious career includes four French Open titles and one US Open crown.

No. 1 in the world at one point in her career, Swiatek captured the gold medal in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is also a bronze medallist in last year’s Paris Olympics.

Swiatek also made it to the semifinal round in ths year’s BNP Paribas Open, Qatar Open, and Australian Open.

Eala is clearly the underdog against Swiatek, but certainly cannot be taken lightly, taking down one giant opponent after another that paved the way for her quarterfinal stint.

Eala started her campaign with a win over world No. 75 Katie Volynets of the United States (US) then took down world No. 25 and former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in the second round.

The stirring run continued when Eala upset world No. 5 and reigning Australian OPen champion Madison Keys of the US in the third round.

Eala then easily advanced to the quarterfinals after her Round of 16 opponent, world No. 11 Paula Badosa of Spain, withdrew from the tournament due to lower back injury.

Hours before her gigantic duel with Swiatek, Eala appeared to be in high spirits.

“We’re still here! Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for the support. Back to business (tonight),” Eala said in a social media post.(CCM)