Alex Eala is “over the Moon” as First Filipina EVER to Snatch a US Open Main Draw Win

Photo Courtesy via ABS-CBN News, Sarah Stier, Getty Images/AFP 

Let’s talk about guts, glory, and pure, unfiltered hustle—because Alexandra “Alex” Eala just rewrote history at Flushing Meadows.

At just 20 years old, Alex pulled off a jaw‑dropping upset in New York, toppling 14th seed Clara Tauson in a dramatic three-set battle 6‑3, 2‑6, 7‑6 (13‑11). Trailing 1‑5 in that deciding set, she clawed back with nerves of steel and delivered a tie‑break performance for the ages.

In so doing, Alex etched her name in the books as the first Filipino ever to win a Grand Slam main‑draw match in the Open Era—talk about making history with heart.

And the emotion—wow. She collapsed onto the court in tears, overwhelmed by what she’d just achieved, and the roaring support from the crowd made it extra powerful. 

“I'm so blessed to be the first to do this. I take so much pride in representing my country,” she said—reminding us that this is about more than tennis; it’s about nation, identity, and inspiration.

But this is hardly Alex’s first chapter of trailblazing. Earlier this year, she became the first Filipina to beat a top‑10 WTA player, taking down Madison Keys, and stunned Iga Świątek as she stormed into the semifinals of the Miami Open, smashing her way into the WTA top 100.

Why this particular win is bigger than ever:

• The Philippines’ first in a Grand Slam main draw—done.

• A US Open win that puts her firmly on the global tennis map.

• A symbol of what Southeast Asian tennis can achieve, a rallying point for young athletes everywhere.

Now, she’s poised to take on either Claire Liu or Cristina Bucsa next, and with that kind of fire, who’s to say what’s next?