Why Alexandra Eala’s first-round win at the US Open is so special

Dubai: It was more than just a victory for Alexandra Eala at the US Open on Sunday - it was a historic milestone. The 20-year-old pulled off a thrilling upset against 14th seed Clara Tauson, rallying from 1-5 down in the third set to win 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11). With the win, Eala became the first Filipino woman to win a main draw match at a Grand Slam tournament.

Eala, currently ranked No 75 and training at the Rafael Nadal Academy, notched her fourth victory over a top-20 opponent this year. That list includes a high-profile win over world No 1 Iga Swiatek during her remarkable run to the semi-finals at the Miami Open in March.

“To be Filipino is something I take so much pride in,” said Eala after the match. “I don’t have a home tournament, so having this community behind me here at the US Open — it really made me feel like I was home.”

The stands were packed with Filipino supporters who rallied behind Eala throughout the match. Their energy, she said, made all the difference.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be the first Filipino woman to achieve this,” she added. “It’s an honour to represent my country. It makes what I do feel so much bigger than myself — it gives deeper meaning to my journey. It’s surreal to think this is my first time experiencing something like this on tour.”

Eala's 2025 season has already been filled with headline-making moments. In addition to defeating Swiatek, she also knocked out reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys in Miami.

Looking ahead, Eala remains focused: “The key for my next match is to keep the same mindset and bring the same fight. Right now, recovery is the priority.”

Her milestone win came on the same day that Indonesia’s Janice Tjen pulled off another shock result, ousting 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova. Eala expressed excitement about the growing presence of Southeast Asian players on the world stage.

“I’m thrilled to see tennis rising in Southeast Asia,” she said. “I’ve known Janice for a long time — I’m genuinely happy for her. It’s amazing to see players from our region starting to make waves. Seeing someone you grew up with competing on the biggest stages is really inspiring.”