Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala made a stunning debut at the US Open, defeating world No. 14 Clara Tauson of Denmark in a nail-biting first-round clash early Monday (Philippine time). The 20-year-old rallied past Tauson, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11), in a match that fueled Eala to chase the win.
A Battle to the Limit
Eala admitted the match tested her resilience in every aspect of the game.
“It was so difficult. She’s a huge player, she’s a great player,” Eala said after the victory.
The deciding set saw both players exchange powerful rallies, with Eala digging deep to outlast her opponent in the intense tiebreaker.
“I’m so happy that I was able to dig deep. I was just thinking to push the limit physically, mentally this was it,” she added.
Powered by Filipino Pride
Eala also credited her triumph to the overwhelming support of the Filipino crowd in New York, who filled the stands with cheers that felt like home.
“It's so special, you know. They make me more and more special. You know, to be Filipino is something I take so much pride in. I'm so grateful that it made me feel like I'm home,” she expressed as the crowd cheered her victory,” she shared, visibly emotional after the match.
The victory not only marks Eala’s first-ever main draw win at the US Open but also underscores her growing presence on the global tennis stage.
With her hunger for more breakthroughs, Eala looks forward to carrying the Philippine flag deeper into the tournament.
“This match is one for the books for me” she said.
