Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot against Madison Keys of the United States during their match on day 6 at Hard Rock Stadium on March 23, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Rich Storry, Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang commended the Philippines' very own rising tennis star Alex Eala as she makes waves in the 2025 Miami Open.
Eala will be playing in the semifinal round of the Miami Open on Friday, and is set to be the first Filipina to enter the WTA Top 100 rankings.
But before reaching this mark, Eala, 19, dismantled three Grand Slam winners in World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, No. 5 Madison Keys, and ranked 25th Jelena Ostapenko.
READ: Tennis: Alex Eala stuns Swiatek, advances to Miami Open semis
"Isa po ito sa napakalaking tagumpay ng isang Pilipino. Ang Malacañang po, ang Palasyo po, ang Pangulo po ay ipinagmamalaki ang katulad po ng ating mga Pilipino na nagbibigay po ng karangalan sa Pilipinas," said Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro.
"So, congratulations sa ating kababayan at hindi pa po dito nagtatapos ang ating pasasalamat sa kababayan natin na nagbibigay ng karangalan sa Pilipinas," Castro added.
Eala still seeks to rewrite her story, eyeing a final round spot against World No. 4 Jessica Pegula of the United States.
READ: Up next for Alex Eala: World No. 4 Jessica Pegula
Their battle at 8:30 a.m. on Friday can be watched on ABS-CBN and ANC's YouTube channels.
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