19-year-old Filipina wildcard topples world No. 2 in straight sets, two years after graduating from Rafa Nadal academy alongside the polish star
Just two years ago, Alexandra Eala stood smiling beside Iga Swiatek in a graduation photo at the Rafa Nadal Academy. Fast forward to March 2025, and the 19-year-old wildcard has sent shockwaves through the tennis world, defeating the five-time Grand Slam champion in straight sets to book a place in the Miami Open semi-finals.
Eala’s 6-2 7-5 triumph over the world No. 2 was as clinical as it was surprising. Taking just one hour and 41 minutes, she dismantled Swiatek’s rhythm with a fearless, attacking performance that belied her ranking of 140 just a week ago. She now catapults inside the WTA top 100 and becomes only the third wildcard ever to reach the Miami Open women’s semi-finals.
“I’m in complete disbelief,” Eala said courtside, struggling to find the words as the crowd roared. “I’m on cloud nine… This day is forever in my heart.”
The result was the culmination of a stunning week for the teenager, who had already upset reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys and 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko en route to the quarter-finals. But toppling Swiatek, who had not dropped a set in the tournament and has been one of the dominant forces in women’s tennis since 2020, marked a career-defining moment.
Swiatek, typically rock-solid from the baseline, appeared unusually off-balance throughout. She racked up 32 unforced errors to Eala’s 12 and was broken four times in each set. Though clearly below her best, Swiatek had been dealing with distractions off the court—WTA officials had recently assigned her extra security after an abusive fan incident during the tournament.
But Eala didn’t let the occasion, nor her opponent’s reputation, faze her. “My coach told me, ‘Run, go for every ball, and take all the chances,’ because someone like Iga isn’t going to hand you a win,” she said. “It was just about believing and giving everything.”
The match wasn’t just about athleticism—it was a demonstration of mental poise. Eala kept her composure in high-pressure moments, including closing out a tight second set despite Swiatek threatening a late comeback.
It’s been a meteoric rise for the young Filipina, whose training under the tutelage of Nadal’s team in Mallorca has paid off in spades. Yet, in her own words, she doesn’t feel any different from the girl in that graduation photo.
“I feel like I’m the exact same person. But of course, circumstances have changed,” she reflected. “I’m so happy and blessed to be able to compete with such a player on this stage.”
Next up, Eala will face the winner of the quarter-final clash between Britain’s Emma Raducanu and American third seed Jessica Pegula—both formidable tests, but none more intimidating than the player she just beat.
Elsewhere in the tournament, French rising star Arthur Fils also caused a stir on the men’s side. The 20-year-old battled through a back issue to defeat world No. 2 Alexander Zverev 3-6 6-3 6-4, continuing his breakthrough run on the ATP circuit after a strong showing in Indian Wells earlier this month.
“I’ve had a little problem in my back since I was young, so sometimes it hurts me,” Fils admitted after the match. “But I had to be more aggressive, come into the court, and not let him play his game.”
His efforts paid off. Despite dropping the first set, Fils adjusted his tactics, pushing into the court and attacking early to disrupt Zverev’s rhythm. With just two breaks of serve in the first two sets, the third hinged on tiny margins—but Fils took his chance and closed it out with aplomb.
He now moves into the quarter-finals to face Czech teenager Jakub Mensik, setting up what promises to be another youthful clash with high stakes and fearless tennis.
But on Wednesday in Miami, it was Alexandra Eala who seized the headlines and the hearts of tennis fans, not only in the Philippines but around the globe. Her performance echoed the early exploits of past teenage champions, and while there’s a long road ahead, the buzz around her future is very real.
“It’s surreal,” Eala smiled. “But I’m just grateful. I’ll keep fighting.
