PARIS, France (AFP) — Stepping onto the Roland Garros court is already a fete itself for Filipina sensation Alex Eala.

She believes she can move up to the next level after her impressive run in Miami this year, as she became the first woman from her country to compete in a Grand Slam at the French Open.

The 20-year-old netter kicked off her campaign against another Grand Slam debutant, Emiliana Arango of Colombia, in the opening round on the red clay of Roland Garros late Sunday (Manila time).

“Being the first is a big deal because it gives other people courage to do the same and follow the same path,” Eala told journalists.

Eala burst through after her run to the semi-finals at Miami in March when, ranked 140th in the world, she beat three Grand Slam winners in Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek.

“After Miami things kind of came to life. I proved to myself it’s possible,” said Eala, who is now ranked 69th.