Not even an initial stumble could make Alex Eala’s comeback crumble.
Eala fended off an outset setback to rally past Germany’s Laura Siegemund, 6–7(6), 6–3, 6–3, for a Round of 32 berth in the 2026 Miami Open women's singles at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida, March 20.
The 20-year-old blew a 3–0 game lead as Siegemund forced a tiebreak before losing the opener, but the Pinay bounced back in the following frames with three-game cushions for the victory.
In an interview, Eala said the match was a close one and was physically and mentally demanding.
“It definitely was close. Very demanding physically and mentally,” she said. “But that was one of my goals last year after this tournament was to improve physically, and here I am fresh as a flower.”
After squandering a three game spurt, Eala made a 6–5 game lead, only for her 38-year-old opponent to slot a smash in the 12th game which created a tiebreak.
Their tussle went back-and-forth before tying at 6–all, where the German secured the onset with a forehand winner that her opponent could not swat down.
But that setback was building up for the Pinay’s fightback.
Refusing to waver, the Filipina fired a cross-court backhand drop followed by successive smashes in the sixth game to jumpstart a 5–2 buffer in the second set.
Siegemund attempted to prolong the battle after snatching the eighth game, but her wayward forehand drive gave way for Eala’s 6–3 triumph.
The Pinay then made a 4–1 rout in the fifth game and nailed lefty smashes before sealing the deal in the eighth after exploiting her foe’s errant backhand.
Later, Eala reminisced on her prior Miami tilt as a wildcard — now she was thrilled to notch a third round spot again.
“I came into Miami last year as a wildcard, now I’m in the third round again, so I’m really, really happy and especially having been able to compete at this level today against an amazing fighter,” she remarked.
The Filipina will next face Magda Linette of Poland in the Round of 32.
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