H2 Alexandra Eala Makes History at US Open with Stunning Comeback
You won’t hear this every day—Alexandra Eala has just made Philippine tennis history at the 2025 US Open. The 20-year-old Filipina stunned the tennis world by defeating world number 14 Clara Tauson in a thrilling first-round match, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11). This victory marks the first time a player from the Philippines has won a Grand Slam singles main-draw match in the Open Era, and what a way to do it—coming back from a 5-1 deficit in the final set.
The atmosphere at Flushing Meadows was electric, with fans from Little Manila in Queens cheering her on every step of the way. Eala had never won a Grand Slam singles match before, having lost in three sets at both the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year. But fueled by the crowd, she staged a remarkable comeback in a match that lasted two hours and 36 minutes, saving multiple match points in the process.
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Eala’s path to this historic win has been building all season. She made headlines at the Miami Open in March by reaching the semifinals and defeating three Grand Slam champions in a row—Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek. That performance helped her break into the top 100 in the world, making her the first Filipino woman to achieve that milestone.
In her match against Tauson, Eala stayed composed under pressure, especially in the tense third set. Tauson, known for her powerful game but sometimes erratic play, led 5-1 at one point, looking set to close it out. Yet Eala fought back relentlessly, breaking her opponent’s serve twice while Tauson was serving for the match. A critical double fault by Tauson during a video review set up the final opportunity, which Eala seized to win the tiebreak 13-11.
After the match, Eala reflected on the significance of her achievement. “To be Filipino is something I take so much pride in,” she said. “I’m always in the mood for creating more history. This match is one for the books for me.” Her words captured the excitement of a community that has watched her rise through the ranks, from winning the US Open juniors title in 2022 to now making waves in the senior Grand Slam scene.
Looking ahead, Eala will face either Cristina Bucsa from Spain or American Claire Liu in the second round, with her sights set on advancing even further. For now, her historic US Open victory is being celebrated not just as a personal triumph, but as a moment of pride for Filipino tennis and sports fans worldwide. It’s a reminder of what can happen when talent, determination, and an entire community cheering behind you converge on the world stage.
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