FILIPINO tennis star Alexandra Eala was at first in disbelief when she shocked world no. 5 Madison Keys, 6-4 6-2, on Monday morning (Philippine time).
When the 19-year old Eala broke serve twice in the last three games of the second set, she continued her amazing Miami Open Tennis Open campaign with another milestone win.
Eala burst out into a scream and in tears, as she hopped along the Grand Stand’s middle, moments after Keys’ final shot, a forehand volley that landed out of bounds.
“I think, my belief and the trust I had in myself is what pushed me through,” added Eala.
Taking an hour and 27 minutes to get over Keys, Eala found herself in the last 16, after disposing of the reigning Australian Open women’s singles’ champion.
“There’s no time to process. My mind is still in the match. And I’m in disbelief,” said Eala in post-game video interview posted on online, and on tennis.com.
This saw Eala’s live WTA ranking leap up from no. 134 to no. 117.
Earlier, Eala made heads turn, and also made history on Friday when she hurdled second-round foe, Jelena Ostapenko, who was entered as the 25th seed.
Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, fell to a 7-6(2), 7-5 setback to Eala.
“It’s just I knew I could win from the start. But the chances were low, given that she’s a great player,” said Eala.
With the upset, Eala became the first-ever netter from the Philippines to beat a Top 10 opponent during the Open.
Eala, who first won over Katie Volynets, will now have a fourth-round encounter with the 10th-seed Paula Badosa, who beat Clara Tauson 6-3 7-6 (7-3).
If she reaches the quarterfinals, it will be tougher for Eala, with top players Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, in the pipeline.