Rampaging Alex Eala claimed the scalp of ninth-seeded Victoria Mboko of Canada, 6-1 7-6 (5), to advance to the final of the US Open Girls Singles Friday, Sept. 9 (early Saturday in Manila) at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows.
Cheered on by a small Filipino crowd, Eala dug deep in the second set to post her best singles finish in the Grand Slams.
Her previous best was a semifinal appearance at the 2020 French Open.
It was a historic feat for the 17-year-old, 10th-seeded teen sensation as it was the first ever appearance of a Filipino campaign in any of the four Grand Slam stages.
Like her third-round win over eighth seed Australian Taylah Preston the other day, Eala found herself trailing in the second, 3-1 and 5-3.
But the two-time Grand Slam doubles champion refused to be intimidated as she summoned her remaining strength to force a tiebreak.
In the end, it was Eala who emerged victorious as the Canadian double-faulted in the critical moment of the match.
The victory arranged Eala a finals date with 17-year-old second seed Lucie Havlickova of the Czech Republic, who trounced seventh pick and doubles partner Diana Shnaider, 6-4, 6-4.
The match will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 12 p.m. (Sunday, 12 midnight in Manila).
Currently ranked No. 3 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) juniors, Havlickova boasted of a 2022 French Open Girls Singles title, as well as a Girls Doubles crown.
She has also been campaigning in the women’s circuit, with a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) ranking of 577.