Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala pulled off a major upset at the Miami Open on Sunday, defeating fifth-seeded American and Australian Open champion Madison Keys, 6-4, 6-2.
The 19-year-old wildcard made history as the first Filipina to beat a top-10 opponent since the WTA ranking system began in 1975.
Eala, the 2022 US Open girls’ singles champion, trained at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca since age 13. She now advances to face Spain’s Paula Badosa for a spot in the quarterfinals.
“Growing up it was tough,” Eala said in her on-court interview. “You didn’t have anyone from where you’re from to pave the way. Of course you had many people to look up to around the world, but I think — I hope this takes Filipino tennis to the next step.”
Keys, who recently lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells semifinals, admitted she was not in her best form.