'Here to compete': Alex Eala turns focus to Badosa after ousting Keys | ABS-CBN
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'Here to compete': Alex Eala turns focus to Badosa after ousting Keys
'Here to compete': Alex Eala turns focus to Badosa after ousting Keys
Dyan Castillejo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 24, 2025 01:58 PM PHT
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Updated Mar 24, 2025 02:47 PM PHT
Alexandra Eala of Philippines meets Madison Keys at the net after defeating her during Day 6 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 23, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Al Bello, Getty Images/AFP
Alexandra Eala of Philippines meets Madison Keys at the net after defeating her during Day 6 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 23, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Al Bello, Getty Images/AFP MANILA -- Hours after her sensational win over reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is already turning her focus to her next match in the Miami Open.
MANILA -- Hours after her sensational win over reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is already turning her focus to her next match in the Miami Open.
The 19-year-old Eala made history early Monday morning (Manila time) when she stunned Keys, 6-4, 6-2, to advance to the round-of-16. The huge win came just two days after Eala had pulled off an upset of world no. 25 Jelena Ostapenko in the second round.
The 19-year-old Eala made history early Monday morning (Manila time) when she stunned Keys, 6-4, 6-2, to advance to the round-of-16. The huge win came just two days after Eala had pulled off an upset of world no. 25 Jelena Ostapenko in the second round.
"I'm over the moon, still processing what happened today," said Eala after eliminating the American who is ranked fifth in the WTA.
"I'm over the moon, still processing what happened today," said Eala after eliminating the American who is ranked fifth in the WTA.
"But at the same time, I'm already getting ready for my match tomorrow," she added. "It's what I came here to do, you know -- to compete."
"But at the same time, I'm already getting ready for my match tomorrow," she added. "It's what I came here to do, you know -- to compete."
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Eala will play Spain's Paula Badosa, who is ranked 11th in the world.
Eala will play Spain's Paula Badosa, who is ranked 11th in the world.
"I have started thinking of that already," Eala said of the Badosa match. "I play tomorrow night, so back to business."
"I have started thinking of that already," Eala said of the Badosa match. "I play tomorrow night, so back to business."
Since her upset of Keys, Eala has emerged as one of the biggest stories of the tournament, which the teenager says is "really overwhelming."
Since her upset of Keys, Eala has emerged as one of the biggest stories of the tournament, which the teenager says is "really overwhelming."
"But all positivity, good vibes, of course," she added. "This is a big feat, so I'm happy. I feel so blessed to have this spotlight put on me for a day."
"But all positivity, good vibes, of course," she added. "This is a big feat, so I'm happy. I feel so blessed to have this spotlight put on me for a day."
Eala credits her back-to-back wins over Grand Slam champions to her hard work in training that has greatly improved her on-court mobility.
Eala credits her back-to-back wins over Grand Slam champions to her hard work in training that has greatly improved her on-court mobility.
"I've really been stepping it up physically. I've been running a lot, so I'm so happy to see it pay off on the court," she said.
"I've really been stepping it up physically. I've been running a lot, so I'm so happy to see it pay off on the court," she said.
As she continues her dream run in the Miami Open, Eala expressed her gratitude to the Filipinos who are supporting her both in Miami and all over the world.
As she continues her dream run in the Miami Open, Eala expressed her gratitude to the Filipinos who are supporting her both in Miami and all over the world.
"Nakakataba ng puso na makita 'yung lahat, na sinusuportahan niyo ako. It's something I won't trade for the world," she said.
"Nakakataba ng puso na makita 'yung lahat, na sinusuportahan niyo ako. It's something I won't trade for the world," she said.
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