Alex Eala's historic performance in the first round of the US Open drew praise from her coach, who hailed the Filipina for her fighting spirit and tenacity.
Eala became the first Filipino player to win a singles match in a Grand Slam when she outlasted 14th seed Clara Tauson of Denmark, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13/11), in New York on Sunday (early Monday in Manila).
"It was a very good win. The first set of Alex was, for me, one of the best sets she has ever played," said Joan Bosch, Eala's coach from the Rafa Nadal Academy, after the match.
READ: Alex Eala 'over the moon' after bagging historic first at US Open
Eala had come out firing in the opening set, matching Tauson's aggression en route to a 6-3 win in just 41 minutes.
But the 22-year-old Tauson turned the tables in the second set to tie the match, and rode that momentum on the way to a 5-1 lead in Set 3.
It was there that Eala found her second wind, sending the set to a tiebreaker where she eventually prevailed.
"From 3–2 down in the second, the opponent did very well. At 5–1 down in the third, Alex wasn’t playing badly, but Clara was really good," Bosch said. "That’s when I told her to try to hit with more power. It’s tough when Clara plays that well, but Alex always gives 100%."
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates match point against Clara Tauson of Denmark during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day One of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 24, 2025 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Sarah Stier, Getty Images/AFP
Assistant coach Lluc Bauzà was equally proud, emphasizing the long-term work on Eala’s conditioning.
"We have been working on her fitness for many years, and now she is a tremendous mover. Her shoulder recovery was completed weeks before the US Open, and she is all clear," Bauzà assured.
Eala, whose shoulder was visibly taped, will have two days off before her next match but is expected to return to the practice courts immediately.
"Tomorrow, yes, she will practice. She is used to matches like this. Alex is prepared, and she has a good fitness team behind her," Bauzà said.
Eala now awaits the winner of the match between world No. 95 Cristina Bucsa and American qualifier Claire Liu, who face off Monday (US time). -- report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News