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Posts published in “Tennis”

Aryna Sabalenka wins the 2026 Miami Open

March 29, 2026

In a high-stakes showdown in Miami, Aryna Sabalenka defeated home favorite Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to claim her second consecutive Miami Open title. The victory marks a historic milestone for Sabalenka, as she becomes the first woman since Iga Swiatek in 2022 to complete the prestigious “Sunshine Double”—winning both Indian Wells and Miami in a single season.

This triumph marks Sabalenka’s 24th career WTA singles title, further cementing her dominance on hard courts. Despite Gauff’s spirited comeback in the second set, Sabalenka’s relentless power ultimately overwhelmed the young American in the decider.

Next for Sabalenka, Gauff and the rest of the tour will be clay season and games will shift to Europe mainly in Madrid and Rome and, of course, the French Open.

Game highlights;

Alex Eala ends 2026 Miami Open run after a lopsided loss to Karolina Muchova

March 24, 2026

Alex Eala’s 2026 Miami Open campaign came to an abrupt end as the Filipina standout was overwhelmed by higher-seeded Karolína Muchová, 6-0, 6-2, in their Round of 16 clash. The lopsided defeat marked the exit for the 20-year-old Eala from the same tournament that fueled her breakthrough last year, when she stunned several Top 10 players en route to a semifinal finish.

Despite Eala’s impressive run—which included victories over Laura Siegemund and Magda Linette—she struggled to find an answer for Muchova’s versatile power game. While Eala exits the tournament with $105,720 in prize money, Muchova moves on to the quarterfinals, maintaining her dominant 2026 form.

Game highlights;

Alex Eala wins hard-fought match against Magda Linette at the 2026 Miami Open

March 22, 2026

Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala continued her impressive run at the 2026 Miami Open, defeating Poland’s Magda Linette in a hard-fought Round of 32 clash. Eala, currently ranked world No. 29, secured a 6–3, 7–6(2) victory at the Hard Rock Stadium.

The match showcased Eala’s growing maturity; she dominated the first set with aggressive returns before weathering a resilient comeback from the veteran Linette in the second. By clinching the tiebreak, Eala leveled their career head-to-head record at 2–2. She now advances to the Round of 16 to face 13th seed Karolina Muchova.

Game highlights;

Eala Survives Epic 3-Hour Battle Against Siegemund at Miami Open

March 21, 2026

Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala advanced to the third round of the 2026 Miami Open after coming from a set down to defeat Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-3 — the longest match of her career. WTA The grueling contest lasted three hours and 20 minutes, making it the joint-fifth longest tour-level match of 2026. WTA
World No. 29 Eala raced to a 3-0 lead early, but the veteran Siegemund clawed back, eventually stealing the first set in a tiebreaker after Eala squandered multiple set points.

Eala, however, regrouped to dominate the next two sets 6-3, 6-3. Her aggressive baseline play and improved physical conditioning proved decisive against the 38-year-old Siegemund. This hard-fought victory marks the longest match of Eala’s career, propelling her into the third round as she continues her impressive rise on the WTA tour.

lex Eala’s next opponent in the Round of 32 at the 2026 Miami Open is Magda Linette from Poland. Linette secured her place in the third round by defeating world No. 3 Iga Swiatek in a comeback victory (1-6, 7-5, 6-3).

Game Highlights

Alex Eala Upsets Yastremska to face Coco Gauff at Indian Wells

March 8, 2026

Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala continued her historic run at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open, securing a gritty 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska. In a marathon match lasting nearly three hours, the 20-year-old Eala showcased immense mental fortitude and focus, particularly in the deciding set.

After falling behind 4-5 in the third, Eala broke back immediately, capitalizing on Yastremska’s errors with her serve. The veteran Ukrainian committed a number of costly double faults throughout the game, including one that set up Eala’s fourth match point in a tense 12th game. With this win, Eala will move on to a highly anticipated third-round rematch against world No. 4 Coco Gauff. Gauff routed Eala in the semifinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in the UAE.

Here are the match highlights between Eala and Yastremska;

Here’s Eala on her upcoming rematch with Coco Gauff;

ICYMI: Coco Gauff routs Alex Eala to face Elina Svitolina in the Semis of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

February 22, 2026

Coco Gauff literally gave Alex Eala a tennis clinic.

Elina Svitolina was later defeated by Jessica Pegula, the eventual champions of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

via WTA;

Coco Gauff delivered a masterclass as far as bounce back performances are concerned with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory over Alexandra Eala on Thursday night to advance to the Dubai semifinals for the second time. She’ll face Elina Svitolina, who outlasted Antonia Ruzic in three sets to reach the last four.

Checkout the game highlights;

Elina Svitolina is the eventual champions of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Alex Eala defeats Sorana Cîrstea for her 3rd straight win to advance to the Quarter finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

February 19, 2026

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala has made history again. The 20-year-old moved into the quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after defeating Romania’s Sorana Cîrstea in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4.

Eala showed great focus throughout the match. After a close first set, she took control in the second, leading 5-1. Although Cîrstea tried to come back, Eala stayed calm to finish the win. This victory follows her huge upset over world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini. Eala will now face world No. 4 Coco Gauff in the next round.

Game Highlights;

Post game interview;

Alex Eala upsets Jasmine Paolini to secure third Top 10 Scalp to Reach Dubai Round of 16

February 18, 2026

Filipina tennis sensation Alexandra “Alex” Eala delivered thrilling performance at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday, upsetting World No. 8 and former champion Jasmine Paolini in straight sets, 6-1, 7-6(5).

Dominating the first set, Eala showed remarkable poise under the lights. Despite a spirited comeback from Paolini in the second, the 20-year-old Filipina held her nerve in a high-quality tiebreak to secure her third career victory over a Top 10 opponent.

Eala now advances to the Round of 16, where she will face Romania’s Sorana Cirstea on Wednesday, February 18.

Here’s the highlights of the match;

Here’s what Alex said when asked on she will do to prepare for her next match;

Alexandra “Alex” Eala stuns Donna Vekic in a comeback win at the ASB Classic in Auckland

January 7, 2026

Women’s Tennis Rising star Alexandra Eala stunned veteran Donna Vekic at the ASB Classic in a performance that felt more like a high-stakes football match than a tennis tournament. Supported by a roaring “army” of Filipino fans in Auckland, the world No. 53 triumphed 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in an enthralling contest that lasted for two hours and 40 minutes.

The match peaked in the third set. After Eala failed to serve out the match at 5-3, she displayed remarkable resilience, attacking Vekic’s returns to break back immediately and secure the victory. Eala, who is currently ranked at No. 50, a career-high, late last year, credited the electric “homec crowd” atmosphere for helping her navigate the tension.

Eala now advances to the Round of 16, where she is scheduled to face another Croatian, Petra Marcinko, this Thursday, January 8. With her momentum building and a loyal global following behind her, the 20-year-old is proving to be a major force in the 2026 season.

Checkout the game highlights below;

Alex Eala and Iva Jovic defeats Venus Williams and Elina Svitolin, to advance to the Quarter Finals of ASB Classic

January 5, 2026

In an impressive start to the year, Alex Eala (20) and Iva Jovic (18) defeated veterans Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina 7-6, 6-1. The rising stars now advance to the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.

Here’s what Eala said about the victory;
“To start the year with a moment like this & sharing the court with 2 pioneers of the sport & pioneers off the court as well… People I looked up to since I was young.”

In the Quarter Finals, Alex Eala and Iva Jovic will face the winner between Asia Muhammad/Erin Routliffe and Jesika Maleckova/Renata Zarazua.

Checkout the game highlights below;

Alex Eala is now Top 50 in WTA rankings

November 4, 2025

WTA:

Alexandrea Eala has ended her breakthrough 2025 by making some history.

Following her final tournament of the season in Hong Kong — she defeated Katie Boulter in her opening match before falling to eventual champion Victoria Mboko in the Round of 16 — the 20-year-old has become to first Filipina to break into the Top 50 of the PIF WTA Rankings. (She moved up from No. 51 to No. 50 after last week’s results.)

From No. 147 at the start of the year to ranked 50, is one hell of a accomplishment!

Filipina Tennis Star Alex Eala Advances to Sao Paulo Quarterfinals

September 11, 2025

Alexandra Eala defeats Julia Riera 6-1, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals in Sao Paulo.

WTA;

Few players have enjoyed a stronger stretch on the WTA Tour lately than Alexandra Eala. The Filipino star continued her surge Wednesday with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Julia Riera in 1 hour and 17 minutes to reach the quarterfinals in São Paulo.

Alex Eala will face Janice Tjen in the quarter finals of the WTA Sao Paulo (SP) Open in Sao Paulo, Brazil this Friday, Sept. 12th.

You can checkout the game highlights below.

Alex Eala bags WTA Challenger crown at the Guadalajara Open in Mexico

September 8, 2025

Spin report;

Much like her entire journey through Mexico, she clawed back from a set down to defeat former tormentor Panna Udvardy of Hungary, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, and finally lay her hands on a maiden WTA 125 title early Sunday morning, Manila time.

Alex Eala becomes the first Filipino to win a WTA title!!!

Alexandra Eala stuns World No. 14 Clara Tauson at the 2025 US Open

August 25, 2025

Alexandra Eala pulled off a stunning upset at the 2025 US Open, defeating the 14th-ranked player, Clara Tauson.

US Open;

In front of a boisterous, highly-energized crowd in the Grandstand, 2022 US Open junior girls’ singles champion and world No. 70 Alexandra Eala—the first-ever Filipino to contest a match in the US Open women’s singles draw—came back from a double break in the third set to upset No. 14 seed Clara Tauson, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(11), and reach the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time.

Even though the tournament is not in the Philippines, it feels like Alex Eala has home-court advantage.
ESPN;

Flushing Meadows is very close to an area of Queens known as Little Manila because of its large Filipino community, and they flocked to Grandstand to cheer on Eala, one of the rising stars of the women’s tour.

Game Highlights

Second round of the US Open will be on the 27th of August, Eala will face the winner between Spain’s Cristina Bucsa (95) and American Claire Liu (371).

Alex Eala suffers a heartbreaking defeat at the WTA Lexus Eastbourne Open Finals

June 29, 2025

WTA;

Maya Joint rallied to win one of the year’s toughest matches at the Lexus Eastbourne Open on Saturday, securing her second Hologic WTA Tour singles title of 2025.

In a matchup of two of the Hologic WTA Tour’s brightest young talents, 19-year-old Maya Joint of Australia saved four championship points to edge 20-year-old qualifier Alexandra Eala of the Philippines 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (10) in Saturday’s final.

It was a tough match but just by reaching the WTA Finals, Alex Eala is already a winner in the hearts the Filipinos. If her trajectory continues to go up, she will face Maya Joint in the future.

Here’s the game high lights.

Alex Eala Makes History: First Filipina to Reach WTA Eastbourne Finals

June 28, 2025

Alexandra “Alex” Eala has become the first Filipina Tennis player ever to reach a WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) final. She secured her spot by defeating fellow qualifier Varvara Gracheva in a tough semifinal match at the Lexus Eastbourne Open, with a final score of 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.

Eala will face 19-year-old Australian Maya Joint for the championship title this Saturday, June 28th.

You watch some of the game highlights featuring Alexandra Eala vs. Varvara Gracheva from the Eastbourne Semifinal 2025.