Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates a point won against Jessica Pegula during their match on Day 10 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Al Bello, Getty Images/AFP
MANILA (UPDATED) -- Filipina tennis star Alex Eala advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Eastbourne Open after her round-of-16 opponent, former Grand Slam champion Jeļena Ostapenko, retired due to injury.
Eala had battled back from a slow start to force a deciding set, and was leading 3-2 in the final frame when Ostapenko took her second medical timeout.
The Latvian had twisted her left ankle earlier in Set 3 and had already called for her trainer while down 1-2.
After getting treatment for the second time, Ostapenko opted to call it a day.
"It's never a good feeling to finish a match like that. I hope everything's okay with her because, you know, it was really a tough battle today, and I think both of us were on the brink," said Eala afterward.
"You know, it could have been anyone's match, so I wish her a speedy recovery and I'm super happy to be able to play again in this beautiful place," she added.
The champion in Eastbourne in 2021, Ostapenko appeared headed for a quick win after blasting Eala, 6-0, in the opening set.
She made it seven games in a row after taking a 1-0 lead in the second set, but Eala refused to go away quietly. The Filipina held her serve to equalize, getting on the board with a clean forehand winner. The momentum shifted in her favor from there.
A more aggressive Eala attacked the net more, while Ostapenko succumbed to errors -- including four double faults -- that helped the Filipina take control of Set 2, 6-2.
The Filipina then leaned on that momentum to take the first point of Set 3 after a marathon game that featured three deuces, with a backhand winner finally putting Eala up 1-0. She held her serve for a 2-0 lead before Ostapenko also held to get on the board, 2-1.
It was at that point that the Latvian first received treatment, and the pair exchanged points when action resumed.
The result is a repeat of Eala's upset of Ostapenko in the Miami Open in March, when the young Filipino claimed a 7-6, 7-5 upset that signaled the start of her rise in the sport.
READ: Alex Eala earns major upset, beats World #25 Jelena Ostapenko in Miami Open 2nd round
She will play the winner between Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine and Britain's Francesca Jones in the quarterfinals.
"I'm super happy to be here. The same time last year I was in the qualifying of Wimbledon. So, I'm just counting my blessings, you know, enjoying every minute I have on court, and hopefully tomorrow I can bring a good level again," said Eala.
The Filipina has already played four matches in Eastbourne, having gone through the qualifying phase just to make it to the main draw. -- with a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News
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