Australian Open champion Madison Keys stunned by Filipino wild card Alexandra Eala in Miami
Alexandra Eala, 19, beats the American fifth seed 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the last 16 of the tournament
Australian Open champion Madison Keys suffered a sensational elimination from the Miami Open at the hands of Filipino wild card Alexandra Eala on Sunday.
The 19-year-old upset the American with a 6-4, 6-2 victory as she became the first woman from the Philippines to beat a top-10 ranking opponent since 1975.
Victory comes on the back of beating 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko in the second round.
“I am just in disbelief,” Eala told Tennis Channel. “I knew I could win from the start but the chances were low given that she is a great player, but I think my belief and the trust I had in myself is what pushed me through.”
Eala, who won the 2022 US Open girls’ title, has trained at the Rafa Nadal academy in Mallorca since she was 13.
“Growing up it was tough,” she said. “You didn’t have anyone from where you’re from to pave the way.