Aug 27, 2024; Flushing, NY, USA; Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in action against Naomi Osaka of Japan in the first round of the women’s singles in the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center.

tennis

Miami Open 2025: Filipino Alexandra Eala Makes History With Jelena Ostapenko Upset

19-year-old Rafa Nadal Academy trainee shines in Miami Gardens.

25th seed Jelena Ostapenko was sent packing from the 2025 Miami Open on Friday, as 19-year-old Filipino Alexandra Eala had her big moment. The wild card followed up her first Miami Open main draw win by defeating the former French Open champion 7-6(2) 7-5 in a thrilling encounter.

In a match that saw many twists and turns, Eala managed to hold her nerve and force the errors out of Ostapenko to beat her. She trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, and was evidently in tears after the historic success. The win means that Eala will now face reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the Round of 32.

Alexandra Eala Shatters Records in Big Win Over Ostapenko

One of the biggest things to take pride in for Alexandra Eala, is the fact that she is the only outright player from the Philippines on the professional circuit at the moment. No other man or woman from her country currently ranks within the Top-1000 of the ATP or WTA. As a result, she became the first athlete from the Philippines to notch a Top-30 victory since the WTA Rankings were first published.

what a win! 🇵🇭

Alexandra Eala defeats Ostapenko 7-6(2), 7-5!

#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/IGMbkm9mYP
— wta (@WTA) March 21, 2025

It was a great day for tennis at the end of the day – and the touching moment between the two great players at the net proved that. The southpaw turned pro in 2020, and is yet to make her Grand Slam main draw debut. Yet, the 2022 US Open juniors champion is ready to scale greater heights – and it starts now. Eala made 73% of her first serves and also saved 73% of the break points she faced – a testament to her grit and resolve.

Eala Ecstatic After Miami Open R64 Triumph

As the teary-eyed teenager stood in disbelief after match point, it was a picture perfect moment. Speaking after the match, Eala gathered her thoughts on the magnitude of the moment. “I’m super overwhelmed right now, still trying to process everything,” she exclaimed. “This win means so much to me. I’ve been working so hard, and now it just leaves me wanting more.”

Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Eala has been a student of the Rafa Nadal Academy since she was aged 12. Her mother is in fact a former Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist in swimming. “I’m probably going to rest and take my time to get ready for the next one,” she stated as she prepares for the Keys challenge.

The Miami Open final will take place on Saturday, 29 March at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Alexandra Eala

Jelena Ostapenko

Miami Open

WTA

Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.