Alex Eala battles back to reach Miami Open third round

Alex Eala staged a gritty comeback to book her place in the third round of the WTA Miami Open, overcoming a crafty challenge from Laura Siegemund in a three-set battle on Friday (Philippine time).

Back at the venue where she first made waves on the WTA Tour, the 20-year-old Filipina showed poise beyond her years, rallying from a set down to defeat the 38-year-old German, 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1, in a match that stretched to three hours and 20 minutes at Stadium Court.

Eala appeared in control early, racing to a 3-0 lead in the opening set and earning four set points.

But Siegemund, known for her disruptive on-court tactics, managed to break the Filipina’s rhythm and claw her way back. The German eventually snatched the set in a grueling 84-minute tiebreak.

Shaken but not broken, Eala regrouped in the second frame. She found her timing and composure, breaking serve in the third game to establish control.

A brief on-court exchange—sparked when Siegemund halted play just as Eala was about to serve and raised a complaint to the umpire—seemed to further fuel the Filipina. Eala responded with authority, winning key stretches late in the set to force a decider.

Carrying that momentum, Eala surged ahead in the third set with a 2-0 start. Though Siegemund managed to pull one break back, the Filipina quickly reasserted dominance, breaking again and holding firm through a tense stretch of deuces to build a commanding 4-1 lead.

From there, Eala stayed in control and sealed the victory in the ninth game.

The win propels Eala into the third round, where a high-profile showdown with world No. 2 Iga Świątek looms. Their budding rivalry stands at 1-1, with Eala notably scoring a breakthrough win over the Polish star in Miami last year.