Filipina tennis player Alex Eala made a career-defining victory by defeating world No. 5 Madison Keys 6-4, 6-2, eliminating the American from the WTA 1000 Miami Open early Monday (Manila time).
Prior to her match against Keys, the 19-year-old Eala notched her first top-30 win by overcoming world No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko.
With her stunning victory over Keys, the Filipina athlete becomes the first player from the Philippines to defeat a top-10 player.
Although Keys was in charge for the first seven games, Eala made a pivotal break at 5-4 in the ninth, turning the tide and winning the first set.
The Filipina continued her strong performance in the second set, breaking Keys' serve twice — at 3-2 and 5-2 — to secure the match.
With only one double fault, Eala kept the pressure on, while Keys struggled with four.
"I’m so blank. I’m thinking of my parents who are watching now. Mom and dad, nakuha ko!" Eala stated in an interview after the match.
Keys joins Emma Navarro and Elena Rybakina as the third top-10 player to exit the tournament, with Navarro falling to Emma Raducanu and Rybakina losing to Ashlyn Krueger.
Eala is set to face Spain’s Paula Badosa in the 4th round, hoping to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
