MANILA, Philippines — Much has changed since Alex Eala’s debut in the Miami Open last year.
After making the final four in Miami last year, Eala now carries the weight of higher expectations from fans and needing to win to retain her world rankings when she competes in the 2026 Miami Open.
She opened her 2026 Miami Open campaign with a three-set victory over Germany’s Laura Siegemund, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, to advance in the round of 32 on Friday morning (Manila time) in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The Filipina took a moment to look back on how far she has come since she pulled an upset victory against world No.2 Iga Swiatek in the Miami Open quarterfinals last year.
From being ranked 140th before the Miami Open, Eala climbed to a career best 29th in the WTA rankings last week.
“A lot of things have changed for me, especially this year and this season, so I think I'm doing a good job of keeping that balance of being hungry and staying happy and still working hard,” the 20-year-old Eala said after surviving a marathon match against Siegemund.
Last year, Eala also stunned world No. 5 Madison Keys in the round of 16 but bowed to Jessica Pegula in three sets in the semis as a wildcard entry.
“It means so much to me as a player and as a person. I came to Miami as a wildcard, and now I am in the third round again. I am really, really happy,” she said.
Up next up for Eala is a third-round clash against familiar foe Magda Linette, who scored an upset victory over Swiatek, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, on Friday.
Eala defeated Linette in the 2026 ASB Classic in Auckland, while Linette otplayed Eala in the 2025 Nottingham Open and 2024 Abu Dhabi Open.
The Filipina needed to replicate last year’s top 4 finish to defend the 390 points required to maintain her Top 30 WTA ranking.
Following the expiration of those points last Wednesday, she saw her ranking drop by at least 20 positions via the WTA live ranking.
In the current official standings, the Filipina remains world No. 29, while Linette is No. 50.