Metro Manila, Philippines — Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala survived the longest match of her career to date, winning a three-set thriller against Germany’s Laura Siegemund, 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-3 in their round-of-64 duel at the Miami Open.
The 20-year-old Filipina opened the match with a 3–0 run, but her momentum was halted by Siegemund, who won the next four games to level the set.
Eala nearly closed out the tiebreak with a 6–5 lead, but committed three consecutive unforced errors, favoring Siegemund.
Eala bounced back in the second and third sets, capitalizing on aggressive play and gritty defense.
“It was demanding, physically and mentally. But that was one of my goals last year after the tournament—to improve physically. And here I am, fresh as a flower,” said Eala, who is poised to build on her breakout performance from the tournament’s 2025 edition.
Eala will face Poland’s Magda Linette in the round of 32.
Linette earlier pulled off an upset against fellow Pole and former Miami Open champion Iga Swiatek, 1–6, 7–5, 6–3.
