EDITORS DESK
Alex Eala's face was pale and in pure innocence as her knees crumbled at midcourt, possibly the effect of the sudden mix of hysteria and disbelief. She held back her tears, not that this 19-year-old wanted no taste of celebration, but she was rather floating in an air of shock and impelled to a position no other Filipino has ever stepped in.
Eala is clearly into the stratosphere.
It was near 3 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2025, that the nation erupted in sheer joy and surprise when Eala pulled off the biggest upset in her career: she just defeated world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, 6-2, 7-5, at the Miami Open quarterfinals, an ultra-competitive meet rated as a WTA1000 event and just a notch lower than the prestigious four Grand Slam tournaments.
Swiatek is a Polish superstar and is one of the most dominant tennis players in recent years, having won five Grand Slams — four of those at Roland Garros — and was the former No. 1 player. She was also a Paris Olympic bronze medalist, and has a plethora of other titles that would surely taunt and provoke fear and submission to an opponent.
But none of those affected Eala, and not even one moment did Eala yield to the fact she was facing her toughest foe yet. She was prepared to shoot down the beast from the west.
Only a wildcard entry into the Miami tilt, Eala went to work early, giving Swiatek the challenge she never saw coming from an unseeded player who joined the competition ranked 140th.
Swiatek tried to turn the momentum in the second set, but the Filipina teenage prodigy was simply on the groove, waiting for every opportunity to score and negating the notorious backhands of the Polish player.
In the end, Eala was triumphant. When the victory rush kicked in, she pumped her hands upward to heaven — as if whispering a small prayer for another miracle win — smiled and held her composure not to burst out of emotions.
She then gazed blankly at the small Filipino crowd inside the Hard Rock Stadium. She enjoyed the moment for a bit, but she knew the mission wasn't over yet.
Swiatek was Eala's third victim of top players in Miami. She earlier eliminated Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko, and ousted reigning Australian Open winner Madison Keys. Certainly, it has been a hell of a week for the pride of Quezon City.
And for the fans, too.
The Filipinos back home celebrated every shot of the Filipina ace, and adored her Cinderella story that is worthy of admiration. The records show it all: she is the unheralded, unpopular choice for the Miami title.
The 5-foot-9 hitter, who turned pro in March 2020, is a US Open juniors champion, and has two bronze medals in the Asian Games. Save for some minor championships in international circuits, Eala is no way near the credentials of those she fought with in Miami.
But she is unfazed. Not minding the immeasurable pressure and weight of competition, Eala is ready to conquer the world. A star is born.
Eala has the guts, the strength of a Pinay warrior, and the dreams of millions. Like the flaming red shirt she has been wearing, she means blood and all business.
On to the semifinals!
(Ramon Rafael Bonilla is the Sports Editor of Manila Bulletin)