World no. 4 Jessica Pegula had nothing but praise for her Miami Open semifinals opponent Alex Eala of the Philippines. And yes, the American expects to see more of the Filipina in upcoming tournaments.
We're gonna be seeing a whole lot more of Alex Eala in the main draw of tennis tournaments.
World no. 4 Jessica Pegula said so herself after surviving the 19-year-old Filipina at the Miami Open semifinals on Friday, Philippine time.
The American banked on her experience and composure to weather the match, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3.
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"She's really good, a really good tennis player," Pegula said after the match.
"Obviously, she's beaten a lot of top players this week," Pegula added.
"I don't really think she needs me to tell her that she's a great player, that we're not going to see enough of her. But we definitely are, and she proved that tonight."
"That was really tough."
It was a very tight match.
Pegula won 110 total points, compared to Eala's 98. The American also had the edge in winners, 36-35.
Both broke each other's serve five times.
But it was Pegula's six aces to Eala's four, the Filipina's four double faults, and the American's fewer unforced errors (46 to 59) that spelled the victory.
"It was so amazing to play with you," the 19-year-old Filipina gushed as she met Pegula at the net.
"You too. Good luck," the American answered.
Still, Eala has plenty to smile about. The world no. 140 is projected to enter the WTA top 100 next week after her very first WTA 1000 semifinals appearance. And this would certainly make things a lot easier for the Filipina when entering the main draws of tournaments.
The 19-year-old Filipina has also put the tennis world on notice, beating three Grand Slam winners in Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek without dropping a set prior to the Miami Open semifinals.
Imagine what else she can do.