Metro Manila, Philippines – Filipino tennis star Alex Eala advanced to the Miami Open Round of 16 after defeating Polish opponent Magda Linette early Sunday morning, March 22 (PH time).
Eala swept Linette in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(2), in the third round of the WTA 1000 tournament at Hard Rock Stadium.
The 20-year-old reached the semifinals last year as a wildcard entry.
This time, she was seeded No. 31.
“I think I’ve matured a lot in the past year,” she said in a post-match interview. “I’ve been put in a lot of high-pressure moments, a lot of big stages, which I’m so grateful for and wouldn’t trade for the world.”
“Being back in the fourth round, it makes me feel the same as I did last year,” she said.
“I’m so happy, I’m so excited and, you know, it’s such a privilege to be back in Miami.”
Eala, who has reached a career-high ranking of world No. 29, will face a tough test against Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova, world No. 14, for a place in the quarterfinals.
