Sports & Entertainment

Alex Eala continued her remarkable run at the Miami Open in stunning fashion Thursday, keeping Manila tennis fans awake into the wee hours of the morning, as she shocked world number 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek of Poland to secure a spot in the semifinals in one of two US tennis tournaments that form the “Sunshine Swing.”

Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala is advancing to the Miami Open quarterfinals without hitting a single ball, as world number 10 Paula Badosa withdrew from their match on Monday (early Tuesday in Manila) due to a back injury. Just a day before, the 19-year-old left-hander stunned reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, securing a dominant 6-4, 6-2 victory to reach the Round of 16. Now in her sixth WTA 1000 event, Eala awaits the winner between second-seeded Iga Swiatek and number 23 Elina Svitolina to determine her semifinal opponent. Ranked 140 in the world, Eala is a wildcard entry in the WTA Tour event.

Alex Eala, the 19-year-old Filipina tennis sensation, is making waves at the Miami Open with a jaw-dropping upset over reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys.

Gilas Pilipinas suffered a setback in their rematch against New Zealand, extending their losing streak after an undefeated 4-0 start in the Asia Cup Qualifiers. The 70-87 loss to the Tall Blacks also cost them the top seed in Group B.

Gilas Pilipinas suffered its first defeat in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, falling to a revamped Chinese Taipei squad, 84-91, on Thursday night at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium.