IN her biggest career feat yet and the tournament’s biggest upset by far, Filipina teen Alex Eala, world No. 140, stunned world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, 6-2, 7-5, to make her WTA 1000 semifinals debut at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida early Thursday morning (Manila time).
Eala, who entered the competition as a wild card, earned her way to the quarterfinals after back-to-back shock victories, defeating two Top 25 women players before facing the five-time Grand Slam star in the round of eight.
READ: Here's what Alex Eala is up against next in Miami Open dream run
A strong start worked well for the 19-year-old, as she won consecutive games to claim the first set as Swiatek lapsed into 19 unforced errors, a rare occurrence for the Polish superstar.
Eala also set the pace in the second set, leading 2-0, before Swiatek showed championship poise by regaining her composure midway through the set to win four straight games and take the lead, 4-2.
Eala, though, quickly turned the tide, regaining her momentum and winning two games to tie it at 4-4. Swiatek then broke Eala’s serve to make a run at 5-4, before Eala answered to tie it again at 5-5.
Finishing off for yet another shocker, Eala held at 6-5, and sealed the win to continue her dream run.
READ: Giant-killer Alex Eala ousts Madison Keys in WTA 1000 Miami Open
Eala now awaits the winner between Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu and the U.S.’ Jessica Pegula for her semifinal matchup.
In the earlier rounds, Eala shocked No. 5 seed and reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys 6-4, 6-2 to reach the Round of 16 after she ousted Jelena Ostapenko in the previous round.
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