Jessica Pegula of United States is congratulated by Alexandra Eala of Philippines after their match during the 2025 Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines — World No. 4 Jessica Pegula had nothing but praise for Alex Eala, who pushed her to her limits in their grueling semifinal duel in the 2025 Miami Open on Friday (Manila time).
Pegula was visibly relieved after surviving the Filipino tennis sensation in a thrilling two-hour and 25-minute classic, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3 that went past midnight.
HIGHLIGHTS: Alex Eala vs Jessica Pegula – 2025 Miami Open semifinal
While Pegula, who lives in Boca Raton nearby, wrote “I’m tired” on Miami Open’s camera lens Eala was all smiles as she waved to the crowd full of Filipino supporters.
The American player acknowledged that the 19-year-old Filipino, who took down three Grand Slam champions before their match, has what it takes to compete at the elite level.
“She’s really good, really good tennis player. Goes for her shots, and takes the ball early. Being a lefty is always tricky. [She] competes really well,” said Pegula shortly after the game.
Mar 27, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala of the Philippines hits a backhand against Jessica Pegulain a women’s singles semifinal on day ten of the 2025 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
“She’s beaten a lot of top players this week. I don’t really think she needs me to tell her that she’s a great player, that we’re not going to see enough of her, but we definitely are. And she proved that tonight. That was really tough,” Pegula added.
Eala, ranked 140th in the WTA ladder before this week, was only the second wild card to get three consecutive wins over Grand Slam champions at a single WTA event.
READ: Alex Eala: Philippines’ smash hit on path toward tennis stardom
She also became the first Filipino to reach the semis of a WTA 1000 tournament and take down a top two player since the WTA Tour rankings for women’s tennis were published in 1975.
The Rafael Nadal Academy graduate earned her first Miami Open main draw win after taking down World No.73 Katie Voleynets, 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the Round of 128.
She beat the World No. 25 and 2017 French Open champion Jeļena Ostapenko of Latvia with a 7-6 (2), 7-5 triumph and stunned WTA No. 5 Madison Keys, 6-4, 6-2, in the Round of 32 before a walkover to the quarterfinals after Spain’s Paula Badosa was forced to withdraw from their fourth-round match due to a lower back injury.
Pegula ended Eala’s Cinderella story in Miami as she took care of the last three games from a tie at 3-all in the deciding third set.
After staving off the gritty Filipino, Pegula shifts her focus to World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, who earlier ousted Jasmine Paolini, in the Miami Open final on Saturday.
“Aryna, another hardcourt final for us. Hopefully, I can get the better of her this time,” Pegula said. “I consider myself one of the best hardcourt players in the world, and I think she’s probably the best right now. So it’s always a tough challenge, and I’m just going to have to try my best to take her out on Saturday. “