Alexandra Eala, a rising star in the tennis world, experienced a career-defining moment at the Miami Open when she defeated Iga Swiatek, the second seed and former champion. The 19-year-old Filipino wildcard stunned the tennis community with her remarkable 6-2, 7-5 victory, securing her spot in the semi-finals of the prestigious WTA 1000 event.
What made this victory even more special for Eala was the presence of Toni Nadal, the uncle and former coach of Rafael Nadal. Toni Nadal, who played a significant role in shaping the careers of many players at the Rafa Nadal Academy, was spotted in Eala’s player box during the match. His surprise appearance added an extra layer of motivation for the young athlete, who has trained under his guidance at the academy.
Eala expressed her delight at having Toni Nadal in her corner, emphasizing the confidence and support he has shown her throughout her journey. She revealed that she was unaware of his plans to attend the match until the morning of the game, making his presence all the more meaningful.
This victory marks a significant milestone in Eala’s career, as she continues to make waves on the international tennis stage. With her impressive performance and the backing of influential figures like Toni Nadal, Eala is undoubtedly a player to watch in the coming years.
Iga Swiatek in 2025
Now the world no.2, Swiatek played her last match on the 26th of March when she was defeated by world no.140 Alexandra Eala 6-2 7-5 in the quarter in Miami (draw).
This season Iga achieved a compiled 21-6 record. Iga Swiatek’s best result of this season was getting to the final in Australia.
Eala in Miami, ranking, and results in 2025
Ranked no.140, Eala has achieved a 14-7 match record in 2025. The Filipino is currently having a run in Miami where she toppled the world no.73 Katie Volynets 6-3 7-6(3), the world no.25 Jelena Ostapenko 7-6(2) 7-5, the world no.5 Madison Keys 6-4 6-2, the world no.11 Paula Badosa w/o and the world no.2 Iga Swiatek 6-2 7-5.
Alexandra Eala will come up against the world no.4 Jessica Pegula in the semifinal. In the past, they have never played each other up to now in top tournaments.
Iga Swiatek and Alexandra Eala squared off just on 1 occasion. Their head to head is 1-0 for Eala.