Eala delivers upset vs world No. 2 Swiatek

In 2021, a 15-year-old Alex Eala just entered the main draw of the Miami Open and was training with then-world No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland.

Four years later, Eala took down Swiatek, 6-2, 7-5, in the quarterfinal of the same tournament early Thursday (Manila time) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.

The 19-year-old Rafael Nadal Academy graduate was in disbelief as it took her one hour and 39 minutes to knock off the five-time Grand Slam champion and world No. 2 tennis player.

This was a full circle moment for Eala as the 23-year-old Swiatek was also a keynote speaker during her graduation in 2023.

"I don’t know what to say. I’m in complete just disbelief right now and I’m on cloud nine so thank you everybody who came to watch, and thanks to everyone who’s watching from home," Eala said after the match.

"It’s so surreal because I feel like I’m the exact same person that I was in that photo. But of course, circumstances have changed and I’m just so happy and I’m so blessed to be able to compete with a such a player on this stage."

This is Eala's biggest win in the tournament after she defeated home bet and world No. 5 Madison Keys, 6-4, 6-2, in the round of 32 last Monday.

Eala will face either world No. 60 Emma Raducanu of Great Britain or world No. 4 and American Jessica Pegula in the semifinal.