History-maker Alexandra Eala holds back tears after shock win over Madison Keys

Young tennis star Alexandra Eala continued her stunning Miami Open campaign with an historic win over Madison Keys to reach the last 16. The 19-year-old wildcard entry was visibly emotional after beating Australian Open champion and Florida native Keys 6-4 6-2. Eala was visibly emotional when she pulled off a huge Miami Open upsetGetty Eala initially made history on Friday with her second-round straight sets victory over Jelena Ostapenko, who entered as the 25th seed. It was the first ever win against a top 30 player from a Filipino player since 1975 when the WTA rankings were originally published. And she went a step further on Sunday with a dominant triumph against fifth seed Keys to keep her tournament hopes alive and well. Eala has become the first ever WTA player from the Philippines to beat a top ten opponent during the Open Era. When Keys ultimately hit the match-deciding shot, a forehand that landed out, her teenage competitor displayed her sheer emotion. After appearing to hold back the tears, Eala screamed in delight as she claimed the biggest win of her career to date. “I’m so glad!” she said afterwards with a wide smile. “I’m thinking of my parents who are watching now. Mum, Dad… oh my God! “I can’t call them because I have this interview but I’ll call them after.” When asked about being the first female Filipino winner against a top ten player, she added: “You have to ask the country, I don’t know. “I feel like growing up, it was tough because you didn’t have anyone from where you’re from to pave the way. Eala screamed in delight as he made history in the WTAGetty Keys was unable to beat the teenager despite her Australian Open win in JanuaryGetty “Of course, you had many people to look up to around the world, but I hope that this takes Philippines tennis to another step.” Eala has been part of tennis legend Rafael Nadal’s academy since 2018 and won the US Open girls’ singles title in 2022. She has since featured in qualifying for all four Grand Slams but is yet to have reached the main draw. However, given her performance in Miami so far, this could very much change in 2025 at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open. Eala first beat Katie Volynets before overcoming Ostapenko and Keys, both of whom are Grand Slam champions. She will now face a fourth round clash against the tenth seed Paula Badosa, who beat Clara Tauson 6-3 7-6 [7-3]. Eala could make it three straight wins over top 30 opponents against BadosaGetty Progression to the quarter-finals could see Eala face more top ten opposition such as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. However, she will likely be savouring the moment of her win against Keys, the latest highly-ranked star to face a shock defeat.

Mar 24, 2025 - 01:15

Young tennis star Alexandra Eala continued her stunning Miami Open campaign with an historic win over Madison Keys to reach the last 16.

The 19-year-old wildcard entry was visibly emotional after beating Australian Open champion and Florida native Keys 6-4 6-2.

Eala initially made history on Friday with her second-round straight sets victory over Jelena Ostapenko, who entered as the 25th seed.

It was the first ever win against a top 30 player from a Filipino player since 1975 when the WTA rankings were originally published.

And she went a step further on Sunday with a dominant triumph against fifth seed Keys to keep her tournament hopes alive and well.

Eala has become the first ever WTA player from the Philippines to beat a top ten opponent during the Open Era.

When Keys ultimately hit the match-deciding shot, a forehand that landed out, her teenage competitor displayed her sheer emotion.

After appearing to hold back the tears, Eala screamed in delight as she claimed the biggest win of her career to date.

“I’m so glad!” she said afterwards with a wide smile. “I’m thinking of my parents who are watching now. Mum, Dad… oh my God!

“I can’t call them because I have this interview but I’ll call them after.”

When asked about being the first female Filipino winner against a top ten player, she added: “You have to ask the country, I don’t know.

“I feel like growing up, it was tough because you didn’t have anyone from where you’re from to pave the way.

“Of course, you had many people to look up to around the world, but I hope that this takes Philippines tennis to another step.”

Eala has been part of tennis legend Rafael Nadal’s academy since 2018 and won the US Open girls’ singles title in 2022.

She has since featured in qualifying for all four Grand Slams but is yet to have reached the main draw.

However, given her performance in Miami so far, this could very much change in 2025 at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

Eala first beat Katie Volynets before overcoming Ostapenko and Keys, both of whom are Grand Slam champions.

She will now face a fourth round clash against the tenth seed Paula Badosa, who beat Clara Tauson 6-3 7-6 [7-3].

Progression to the quarter-finals could see Eala face more top ten opposition such as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.

However, she will likely be savouring the moment of her win against Keys, the latest highly-ranked star to face a shock defeat.