August 26, 2025 | 12:00am
Eala smashes historic victory
MANILA, Philippines — From the brink to glory.
On Nationwide Heroes’ Day at residence, Alex Eala set out on her US Open principal draw debut yesterday and put up her personal bravery in pulling off a dramatic 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) comeback win in New York over world No. 15 Clara Tauson of Denmark.
Historical past was made as Eala fought again from what had regarded like an imminent loss within the deciding set, thriving, surviving and ultimately annexing a first-ever Grand Slam victory, to the roaring approval of the cheering crowd on the Grandstand contained in the USTA Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Middle in Flushing Meadows.
In a triumph of unwavering grit and resilience, Eala overcame a 1-5 deficit within the closing set for the epic win carved out in two hours and 36 minutes.
As if she doesn’t boast sufficient “firsts” but for Philippine tennis, the 20-year-old Eala soared to higher heights, turning into the primary Filipino participant to attain a principal draw victory in any Grand Slam match.
“I’m tremendous over the moon with what I used to be capable of do right now, particularly coming again within the third,” Eala mentioned. “It’s a really particular win for me.
“I used to be simply so over the moon, and it was simply such a rush of feelings,” she added. “I believe so many elements made the match so particular. I’ve been on the shedding facet of those tight tiebreaks earlier than, so to be on the profitable facet, it’s very memorable.”
Up subsequent for Eala is WTA No. 35 Cristina Bucsa of Spain or qualifier Claire Liu of america within the second spherical of her stacked bracket that features No. 1 and reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka, No. 4 Jessica Pegula, No. 5 Mirra Andreeva, No. 8 Jasmine Paolini and No. 10 Elena Rybakina.
“The important thing for my upcoming match is simply to return in with the identical mentality, similar battle,” she mentioned. “Proper now I’m simply centered on recovering.”
However that may wait as Eala basks in glory for now. And perhaps without end.
“I’m all the time within the temper for extra historical past. This match is one for the books for me,” mentioned the unseeded Eala, WTA No. 75, after knocking out the grizzled Dane.
And Eala etched historical past in entrance of greater than 8,000 followers in awe of the “Filipino resilience” within the very venue the place she reigned because the 2022 US Open ladies’ singles champion.
For Eala, the gang – together with her household, coaches on the Rafael Nadal Academy and informal tennis followers – turning to her personal felt like a homecourt benefit 1000’s of miles away from residence.
“It’s so particular. They make me increasingly particular. To be Filipino is one thing I take a lot satisfaction in,” beamed Eala, showered by cheers after the Danish’s return went out of bounds for the Filipina clincher within the prolonged tiebreaker.
“I don’t have a house match, so to have the ability to have this neighborhood on the US Open, I’m so grateful. They made me really feel like I’m residence.”
Additionally in euphoria had been Filipinos again residence, led by at least President Marcos.
“She’s solely getting began. Congratulations Alex Eala. Kasama mo ang buong Pilipinas sa bawat laban mo. Sama-sama naming isisigaw sa mundo ang galing ng Pilipino,” Marcos mentioned.
Certainly, it was a battle like no different.
Contemporary from a minor shoulder harm final month, Eala was headed for defeat regardless of taking the primary set, 6-3, when Tauson rode on the momentum of 6-2 retaliation to shatter the gates broad open within the third, 5-1.
Tauson, in her greatest WTA Tour season thus far marked by an enormous win in opposition to world No. 2 Iga Swiatek to achieve the semifinals of the Nationwide Financial institution Open in Montreal, Canada final month, wanted solely a recreation to advance, just for Eala to unleash a staggering 5-1 closeout to drive a tiebreak.
One of many defining moments that turned the tide was the tenth recreation, third set when Eala broke Tauson’s serve with a smashing brief heave on the web, which the annoyed Dane contested solely to gas the Filipina satisfaction much more – and the gang as properly.
“I used to be taking part in actually dangerous, anyway. But it surely positively didn’t assist,” Tauson informed The Related Press. “However that’s how life is.”
Chair umpire Kader Nouni employed video evaluate, a system that was launched on the US Open in 2023 on a small variety of courts to permit officers to verify calls equivalent to double bounces and was expanded to all 17 competitors arenas this yr.
Nouni dominated that Eala hit the ball pretty and awarded her the purpose, giving her two break probabilities at 15-40. There was a prolonged delay earlier than motion resumed, although, with Tauson complaining and telling Nouni: “Take a look at the ball. What’s your opinion about this? What’s your opinion?”
Some within the stands booed her. — Helen Flores
