Mar 27, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala of the Philippines waves to fans from her player’s chair after her match against Jessica Pegula ofn the United States in a women’s singles semifinal on day ten of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Alex Eala ended her dream run in the 2025 Miami Open on Friday, but not before dragging World No. 4 Jessica Pegula to a grueling three-set showdown in the semifinal.
Pegula booked the spot in the final with a 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-3 win against Eala, the 140th-ranked history maker from the Philippines, who pushed her to the limits and threatened another upset in Miami on Friday.
“I’m so tired. So, so tired,” said an exhausted Pegula shortly after the match that spilled past midnight.
“She [Eala] is really good. Goes for her shots, takes the ball early. Being a lefty is always tricky, competes really well. She’s beaten a lot of top players this week.”
Pegula faces Aryna Sabalenka, who earlier ousted Jasmine Paolini in a 6-2, 6-2 demolition job, in the Final on Saturday.
LIVE: Alex Eala vs Jessica Pegula – 2025 Miami Open semifinal
Despite the loss, Eala was all smiles as she pumped her fists and waved to the gallery filled with Filipino fans.
Eala became the toast of the town in Miami after beating three Grand Slam champions the past week en route to the semifinal, setting the record as the first Filipino to make this deep of run in a WTA 1000 tournament.
The 19-year-old Filipino ace continued her impressive form in the semifinal against Pegula, a runner up in the 2024 US Open. Eala lost the opening set in the tie-break then rallied to take Set 2 to force a decider.
Mar 27, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Jessica Pegula of the United States shakes hands with Alexandra Eala of the Philippines at the net after their women’s singles semifinal on day ten of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
“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,” said Pegula of Eala.
Eala, the lowest-ranked semi-finalist in the tournament’s history, seriously threatened to go one step further with another accomplished and effervescent display.
READ: Alex Eala: Philippines’ smash hit on path toward tennis stardom
The tide looked to have turned against her when Pegula broke to go 3-1 up in the second set, but Eala broke back and her fist pump and look of determination was a sign of things to come.
Eala, who took a medical timeout after she seemingly twisted her ankle earlier in the set, broke Pegula three times and was broken twice herself but crucially was able to hold when serving for the set at 6-5.
Both players protected their serve better in the deciding set but Eala’s forehand let her down when the American broke to go 5-3 up and she served out for a victory that brought her visible relief.
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