Flushing Meadows, New York : Alexandra Eala, a 20-year-old rising star from the Rafael Nadal Academy, created history at the 2025 US Open by becoming the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam singles match in the Open era. On a thrilling Sunday match at the Grandstand court in Flushing Meadows, Eala staged a remarkable comeback from 5-1 down in the final set to defeat Denmark’s 14th seed Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11).
The match lasted 2 hours and 36 minutes and featured a high-tension tiebreak where Eala saved five match points before clinching victory on her fifth. The crowd, including a large contingent from Queens’ Little Manila, erupted in support as the Filipino player delivered a momentous win for her nation and Southeast Asian tennis.
“It was so, so difficult,” Eala admitted after the match. “Clara is a huge, great player. Being Filipino is something I take so much pride in. I don’t have a home tournament, so to have this community here at the US Open is incredibly special. They made me feel like I’m home.”
Eala’s journey began years ago when, at just 13, she left the Philippines to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain. Since then, she’s been steadily rising through the ranks, breaking into the world’s top 100 and earning notable victories against former Grand Slam champions earlier this year.
This historic win is not just a personal milestone but a significant moment for Philippine tennis, a country with no previous Grand Slam singles victories in the Open era. Eala’s resilience, composure, and fighting spirit in the face of a daunting deficit highlighted her status as one of the tour’s exciting young talents. She will next face either Spain’s Cristian Bucsa or American Claire Liu in the second round.
Eala’s message resonated beyond tennis: “Anything is possible. Dream big and stay ambitious. This win is for every Filipino who believes in making history.”
The 2025 US Open continues through September 7 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, showcasing the world’s top tennis stars vying for Grand Slam glory.
This breakthrough by Alexandra Eala stands as a beacon of inspiration for the Philippines and Southeast Asia, marking a new chapter in the sport’s global story.
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