Alexandra Eala made history by becoming the first tennis player from the Philippines to win a Grand Slam match in the Open Era.
The 20-year-old pulled an upset, defeating 14th seed Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) in the first round of the US Open on Sunday (25 August) in 2 hours, 36 minutes.
The Filipino roared back from 5-1 down in the final set to progress. Eala benefited from a video review decision that went her way when she was trailing 5-4 in the last set in her first career meeting with Tauson.
Overcome with emotion, Eala fell to the floor after winning the third set to seal the victory.
“I was just so over the moon,” Eala conveyed, “and it was just such a rush of emotions.”
“To be Filipino is something I take so much pride in,” Eala said. “I don’t have a home tournament, so to be able to have this community here at the US Open, I’m so grateful they made me feel like I’m home.
“I’m always in the mood for more history, this match is one for the books for me.”
“I’m very grateful to be the first to achieve it,” she added. “I’m really proud to represent my country.
Eala – who was the junior singles champion here in 2022 – will face either Cristian Bucsa or Claire Liu in the next round.
Rise of Alexandra Eala
Alexandra Eala, who trains at the Rafael Nadal Academy, has been having an incredible season. The win over Tauson was her fourth win over top-20 opposition this season.
Eala won the US Open juniors title in 2022, becoming the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam singles trophy.
The giant-slayer beat former French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys and former world number one Iga Swiatek on her way to the semi-finals at Madrid Open.
Her four-match winning streak in Miami has matched the best result achieved by a wildcard in the tournament since the women’s draw was introduced in 1985.
This record was previously set by Justine Henin, who reached the semifinals in 2010, and Victoria Azarenka, who accomplished the same feat in 2018.
As a result she became the first Filipino woman to break into the world’s top 100.
She has a career-high singles ranking of No. 56 by the WTA, achieved on June 30, 2025, making her the highest-ranked Filipino player in WTA Tour history and the first Filipino player to reach the top 100 in the WTA Rankings.
