Up next for Alex Eala: World No. 4 Jessica Pegula.
Alex Eala will face World No. 4 Jessica Pegula for a spot in the final round of the Miami Open on Friday (Manila time).
Eala has beaten three grand slam winners on her route to the last four at Miami — having dealt with Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys before upsetting four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek.
Ostapenko, ranked No. 25, was the winner of the French Open in 2017. Keys is the reigning Australian Open champion, while Swiatek is the current World No. 2.
Though not a Grand Slam winner, Pegula, a former World No. 3 player who reached as high as No. 1 in doubles, presents a formidable challenge to the Pinay.
Pegula previously advanced to the singles finals of the 2024 US Open and the 2023 WTA Finals and has won seven WTA singles titles.
She proceeded to the Miami Open semifinals after taking out Emma Raducanu of Great Britain, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2, in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Philippines’ Eala made it through to the semifinals after ousting Swiatek, 6-2, 7-5, hours before Pegula’s victory.
Viewers can watch Eala’s semis match against Pegula on ABS-CBN News and ANC YouTube channels, set for 8:00 a.m. on Friday (Manila time).