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Alex Eala Shocks Madison Keys At Miami Open; Books Spot In Round Of 16
Photo credit: WTA
Alex Eala just pulled off the biggest win of her career—and maybe the biggest upset of the Miami Open so far. The 19-year-old Filipina sensation stunned World No. 5 Madison Keys in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, to reach the Round of 16.
Coming into the match, all the stats were in Keys’ favor. The American star had 98 WTA 1000 match wins—95 more than Eala. She also had an Australian Open title under her belt and was gunning for her 20th tour victory of the season. But Eala? She had heart, grit, and a rock-solid baseline game that completely threw Keys off her rhythm.
And wow, did she deliver.
A Stunning Performance
Eala came out swinging, winning eight of the first nine points and taking control early. She didn’t back down against Keys’ powerful shots, instead extending the rallies and forcing her opponent to make mistakes. By the time the match ended, Keys had racked up 51 unforced errors, while Eala played a cleaner, more controlled game.
As soon as the final point was won, Eala jumped for joy, tears in her eyes, and rushed to embrace her team. The emotions were raw, and the moment was huge.
“I don’t think I’ve had the time to process everything that’s happened,” Eala admitted after the match. “I need to stop and recognize that what I did today was really amazing.”
A Rising Star
If you’ve been following Eala’s career, this win isn’t a complete shock. She’s been making waves on the international stage for years.
• 2022 US Open Junior Champion
• First Filipino player in the Open Era to score a WTA Top 10 win
• First player ranked outside the Top 100 to reach the Miami Open Round of 16 this season
And she’s just getting started.
“This is the goal—to do well on the WTA Tour, to win Slams,” Eala said. “I think this is a good step towards where I want to be.”
What’s Next?
Eala now faces Paula Badosa for a spot in the quarterfinals. Badosa is dealing with a back injury, which could give Eala an edge. Either way, one thing is clear—she’s not just here for the experience. She’s here to compete.
From the Rafael Nadal Academy to taking down a Grand Slam champion, Alex Eala is proving she belongs on the biggest stages.
The Philippines has a new tennis superstar and her name is Alex Eala.
Coming into the match, all the stats were in Keys’ favor. The American star had 98 WTA 1000 match wins—95 more than Eala. She also had an Australian Open title under her belt and was gunning for her 20th tour victory of the season. But Eala? She had heart, grit, and a rock-solid baseline game that completely threw Keys off her rhythm.
And wow, did she deliver.
A Stunning Performance
Eala came out swinging, winning eight of the first nine points and taking control early. She didn’t back down against Keys’ powerful shots, instead extending the rallies and forcing her opponent to make mistakes. By the time the match ended, Keys had racked up 51 unforced errors, while Eala played a cleaner, more controlled game.
As soon as the final point was won, Eala jumped for joy, tears in her eyes, and rushed to embrace her team. The emotions were raw, and the moment was huge.
“I don’t think I’ve had the time to process everything that’s happened,” Eala admitted after the match. “I need to stop and recognize that what I did today was really amazing.”
A Rising Star
If you’ve been following Eala’s career, this win isn’t a complete shock. She’s been making waves on the international stage for years.
• 2022 US Open Junior Champion
• First Filipino player in the Open Era to score a WTA Top 10 win
• First player ranked outside the Top 100 to reach the Miami Open Round of 16 this season
And she’s just getting started.
“This is the goal—to do well on the WTA Tour, to win Slams,” Eala said. “I think this is a good step towards where I want to be.”
What’s Next?
Eala now faces Paula Badosa for a spot in the quarterfinals. Badosa is dealing with a back injury, which could give Eala an edge. Either way, one thing is clear—she’s not just here for the experience. She’s here to compete.
From the Rafael Nadal Academy to taking down a Grand Slam champion, Alex Eala is proving she belongs on the biggest stages.
The Philippines has a new tennis superstar and her name is Alex Eala.
Mar 24, 2025
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