Alex Eala exits the 2025 Miami Open as a trailblazer, setting multiple records and incredible statistics along the way. Will Roland Garros be next?
The 19-year-old Alex Eala made history at the 2025 Miami Open, shattering records and setting new milestones for Philippine tennis.
Here are the standout statistics and records from her Cinderella run, according to tennis.com.
First Filipina to beat a Grand Slam Champion at a tour-level in the Open Era--three times
Eala stunned the tennis world by taking down three Grand Slam winners in a single event. She defeated Jelena Ostapenko (2017 French Open champion) in the second round, Madison Keys (2025 Australian Open champion) in the third round, and five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals.
[ALSO READ: Coach says Alex Eala showed signs of brilliance ahead of history-making run in Miami Open]
First Filipina to defeat a top 25 player in WTA rankings--three times
Since WTA rankings began in 1975, no Filipina had beaten a Top 25 player—until now. Eala broke that barrier three times, overcoming Ostapenko (No. 25), Keys (No. 5), and Swiatek (No. 2).
The 19-year-old only fell to world no. 4 Jessica Pegula in the semifinals.
[ALSO READ: Alex Eala shows admirable mindset after Miami Open exit, shares heartfelt message to fans]
First wild card to beat three Grand Slam champions in straight sets
Eala didn’t just win—she dominated. The 18-year-old became the first wild card in WTA history to defeat three Grand Slam champions without dropping a set in a single tournament.
The Filipina beat Ostapenko, 7-6(2), 7-5. She then took down Keys, 6-4, 6-2. And then Eala beat Swiatek, 6-2, 7-5.
It took Pegula three sets to defeat Eala in the semifinals, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3.
First Filipina to reach a WTA semifinal
No woman from the Philippines had ever made it this far at a WTA event. Eala’s historic run ended in the final four, but she did it in style—at a massive WTA 1000 tournament, or just a tier below the Grand Slams.
[ALSO READ: Sports community lauds Alex Eala Cinderella run in Miami Open]
Second-lowest ranked Miami Open semifinalist in history
Ranked No. 140 at the start of the event, Eala became the second-lowest ranked woman ever to reach the semifinals of the Miami Open.
The only player ranked lower? Victoria Azarenka (No. 186 in 2018), who was coming back from maternity leave.
[ALSO READ: World no. 4 Jessica Pegula sings praises for 'really good' Miami Open semis foe Alex Eala]
Lowest-ranked player to ever defeat a Top 2 opponent at the Miami Open
Eala's stunning 6-2, 7-5 quarterfinal win over world no. 2 Iga Swiatek made the Filipina the lowest-ranked woman to ever defeat a Top 2 player in the tournament’s history.
The previous record-holder was Daria Gavrilova (No. 97), who beat Maria Sharapova in 2015.
[ALSO READ: Alex Eala ends Cinderella run at Miami Open against world no. 4 Jessica Pegula in semis]
Tied for best wild card performance in Miami Open history
Eala joined elite company by reaching the semis as a wild card. Only two other women have done the same: Justine Henin in 2010 and Victoria Azarenka in 2018.
And the best thing about her Miami Open semifinals exit? Eala is expected to breach the WTA top 100 next week as the world no. 75. This means it's likely for the 19-year-old to get a direct berth to the main draw of tournaments such as Grand Slams, after falling short in the qualifiers multiple times.
[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]