Tag: Miami Open

The night air in Miami, as well as the morning in Manila, was thick with anticipation as Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala, barely out of her teens—her dreams sparkling, her spirit unbroken—stepped onto center court for what could have been another step toward a fairy-tale finish.

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.