Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala delivered a landmark performance at the Miami Open, stunning top-seeded opponents to become the first Filipina to reach the semifinals of a WTA 1000 tournament.
The 19-year-old wildcard entry, currently ranked world no. 140, pulled off a sensational string of victories over three Grand Slam champions — world no. 25 Jelena Ostapenko, world no. 5 Madison Keys, and world no. 2 Iga Swiatek — before falling to American Jessica Pegula in a tightly contested semifinal match on Friday.
Despite missing a shot at the finals, Eala’s breakthrough run drew widespread acclaim and is expected to propel her into the WTA’s top 100 for the first time, with a projected career-high ranking of no. 75. This milestone would make her the first Filipina to achieve such a ranking in the Open Era.
"Alex has once again demonstrated the heart and fighting spirit of the Filipino. Her Miami Open journey is a testament to her relentless drive and unwavering dedication to the sport," said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO. "We are incredibly proud of her achievements and will continue to support her as she inspires young athletes across the country."
Eala, who has been a Globe ambassador since the age of eight, has steadily built a reputation as one of the most promising young talents in women’s tennis. Her historic Miami Open campaign signals her arrival on the global stage and offers new inspiration for aspiring Filipino athletes.
Globe reaffirmed its support for Eala’s career, pledging continued backing as she sets her sights on further success in the international tennis circuit.