ALEX Eala finally broke through with her first career win at the professional grand slam – thanks to a brave comeback.
The 20-year-old Filipina outlasted world No. 14 Clara Tauson of Denmark, 6-3, 2-6, 7(13)-6(11), to advance to the second round of the 2025 US Open women’s singles tournament in Queens, New York early Monday morning (Manila time).
Tauson surged ahead 5-1 in the third set behind a pair of aces and a forehand winner, but the Filipina dug deep at a time when she looked down and out, storming back to win four straight games to level at 5-all.
The world No. 75 finally put away the big-serving Dane on her fiifth match point in a battle that lasted two hours and 36 minutes, exploding in equal parts delight and relief after Tauson’s return of serve sailed long.
The victory marked another milestone on a breakout year for Eala, currently ranked No. 75 in the world, after suffering first-round exits both at Roland Garros for the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year.
She achieved the feat in a place that holds special significance for her career.
Back in 2022, Eala etched her name in history at Flushing Meadows when she captured the US Open girls’ singles crown.
The then-17-year-old defeated Lucie Havlickova of the Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-4, to become the first Filipino to win a junior grand slam singles title, an achievement that launched her rise on the international stage.
She now awaits the winner of a first-round match between Cristina Bucsa of Spain and home favorite Claire Liu in the round of 64.