Alexandra Eala could hardly believe her luck. © APA / AL BELLO

Sensational victory: This 19-year-old causes astonishment

The tennis year is only about four months old, but there has already been a victory that caused great astonishment.

March 26, 2025

From: dpa/det

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines caused a sensation at the Miami Open on Wednesday. The 19-year-old tennis world number 140 eliminated world number two Iga Swiatek 1000-6, 2,7-5 on her way to the semifinals of the WTA 4 tournament. Eala was only allowed to compete in the main draw in Miami thanks to a wildcard, having previously won only two matches on the tour last year. Jessica Pegula (USA-XNUMX) or Emma Raducanu (GBR) await the next hurdle.

Eala dominated the proceedings against the five-time Grand Slam tournament winner, especially in the first set. A turnaround seemed to be on the horizon midway through the second set, but the underdog remained cool, fought back, and celebrated what was by far the biggest victory of her career after 1:39 hours. "I don't know what to say. It's a great moment, it feels so unreal," said the Filipino player, wearing a bandage on her left thigh, in her on-court interview.

Advance to at least 75th place

She said she was so happy to have been able to compete with and even defeat such a top player on such a stage. She had previously made headlines with her victory over Australian Open champion Madison Keys. As a reward, she will climb to at least 75th place in the new world rankings, regardless of her semifinal performance.

Iga Swiatek had to admit defeat. © ANSA / CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH

Swiatek, who tested positive for the heart medication trimetazidine last August, hasn't had an easy time. After a spectator verbally abused her during a training session last weekend, tournament organizers and the WTA have taken additional security measures around the Pole, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

Swiatek is insulted

The fan is said to have previously sent abusive messages to the 23-year-old via social media. "The incident in Miami appears to be a direct transition from verbal aggression online to harassment in the real world," Swiatek's representatives said.

A little over a month earlier, another incident had occurred in Dubai. Raducanu had been the victim of a stalking incident. A man who had previously followed her to tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Doha had made the former US Open champion cry during her second-round match. Raducanu lost the match, and police later arrested the man.