FILIPINA tennis sensation Alexandra Eala continued her remarkable run at the Miami Open by stunning world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, 6-2, 7-5, in the quarterfinals at Hard Rock Stadium early Thursday (27 Mar 2025) (PH time).

The 19-year-old Filipino wild card had been written off by many ahead of the match, but she held her ground and clinched a spot in the final four, sealing victory when Swiatek’s return went wide. Eala froze for a moment in disbelief but quickly gathered herself.

“I’m on cloud nine. Thank you to everyone who came to watch and those watching from home,” Eala said after the match during the on-court interview.

Eala showcased her composure in the second set, rallying from 4-5 down and breaking Swiatek’s serve to avoid a deciding third set.

“I’m trusting my shots, and I have a team that believes in me,” Eala said in a Tennis Channel interview.

In her journey to the semifinals, Eala defeated unseeded American Katie Volynets, followed by three Grand Slam champions: 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, and now Swiatek.

Her progress came after Paula Badosa withdrew before their scheduled fourth-round match due to a back injury.

Eala will next face either Emma Raducanu of Great Britain or American Jessica Pegula in the semifinals, marking her first appearance in a WTA 1000 tournament’s final four.

In the other half of the draw, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will face sixth-seeded Jasmine Paolini of Italy.