MANILA (August 25) – Filipino tennis star Alex Eala made history at the US Open, defeating World No. 14 Clara Tauson of Denmark, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11), in a dramatic first-round match early Monday (Philippine time) at Flushing Meadows, New York.
Ranked World No. 70, the 20-year-old Eala became the first Filipino to advance to the second round of the US Open seniors’ singles tournament.
“It’s so special,” Eala said, overwhelmed by the cheers from spectators at the Grandstand court. “To be Filipino is something I take so much pride in. I don’t have a home tournament, but this community here at the US Open made me feel at home, and I’m so grateful.”
Eala now awaits the winner between World No. 95 Christina Bucsa of Moldova and American qualifier Claire Liu (No. 317).
The young Filipina has been steadily building her career on the global stage. At the Miami Open last March, she pulled off impressive wins against former Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and World No. 1 Iga Swiatek before bowing to American Jessica Pegula in the semifinals.
A graduate of the Rafael Nadal Academy, Eala previously captured the US Open junior girls’ singles title in 2022, cementing her reputation as one of the brightest rising stars in women’s tennis.
