USA – 19-year-old Alexandra Eala made history for Southeast Asian tennis by advancing to the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 event in Miami on March 24.

After stunning Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the third round, Eala received a stroke of luck when her fourth-round opponent, Paola Badosa, withdrew due to a back injury. As a result, the young Filipino talent progressed to the quarterfinals without playing. She became the first Southeast Asian female player to reach the last eight at such a prestigious tournament.

Eala will face Iga Swiatek, the top title contender who recently defeated Elina Svitolina in the fourth round. Regardless of the quarterfinal outcome, Eala is guaranteed to break into the WTA Top 100 when the rankings update next week. Before arriving in Miami, she was ranked 140th and gained entry through a wildcard from the tournament organizers.

"My goal this year is to enter the top 100. Hopefully, I can achieve it and maintain my position," Eala said after advancing to the Miami Open quarterfinals on March 24.

While Eala continued her impressive run, her boyfriend, Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong, was eliminated in the third round after a hard-fought match against Adam Walton, losing 6-7, 6-4, 4-6. Despite the loss, Wong is expected to climb several spots from his current ATP ranking of 182.

Both Eala and Wong train at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy. Wong joined in 2021, while Eala has been there since 2018. The young Filipina is regarded as one of the academy’s most promising prospects, having won the 2020 US Open Junior title. She is currently coached by Joan Bosch, the academy’s head coach, and receives mentorship from Carlos Moya’s ex-girlfriend, who was the last coach of Rafael Nadal’s career.

"This girl has a lot of potential," coach Joan Bosch said of Eala. "Not only me, but everyone at the academy, including Nadal, acknowledges her talent. We are doing our best to help her improve every day. Nadal and I are always there whenever she needs us."

Upon learning that his academy’s rising star had reached her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal, Rafael Nadal congratulated Eala via social media.