Alex Eala made a huge statement as she took down veteran Sara Errani of Italy, 6-3, 6-1, in the first round of the qualifying round of the 2024 Miami Open at the Hard Rock Café Stadium in Florida on Monday.

It was a massive win for the 18-year-old Filipina as she barged into the win column in the prestigious event for the first time since 2021 against an opponent who is inside the Top 100 in the Women's Tennis Association ranking.

A former world No. 5 player, Errani was a finalist in the 2012 French Open where she lost to five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova of Russia.

Now, she is ranked No. 97 but Eala needed only one hour and 12 minutes to beat her and move a win away from advancing to the main draw of the event for the second time in her career.

"A day of firsts at Miami Open!! First Top 100 win! First time through to the final qualify of a WTA 1000 event," Eala posted on her social media page.

"Let's keep pushing."

The Rafael Nadal Academy graduate is currently battling Emiliana Arango of Colombia at press time in the second qualifying round for a win that would send her to the main draw of the 128-woman event.

It, however, would be easier said than done as Arango is currently No. 121 in the WTA ranking and defeated 10th seed Kayla Day 7-5, 5-7, 6-4, in her qualifying match.