MIAMI – Alexandra Eala wrote her name in tennis history on March 23 when the 19-year-old Filipina defeated Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the Miami Open third round.
She became the first woman from the Philippines to beat a top-10 opponent since the ranking system came into being 50 years ago.
It was a result that Eala celebrated with spontaneity and emotion, hugging her team while on the brink of tears.
A little later, more composed but still struggling to comprehend her achievement, Eala tried to put it into context.
“It’s a big thing to take in, and I feel it’s important for me to take it in step by step. I’m so super proud of what I was able to accomplish, but it definitely fuels me more,” she said.
“I…