‘EALAMANIA’: Alex Eala makes history in US Open win

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The whole country is proud of you, Ms. Alexandra Eala.

Almighty Alex, Ealamazing, Alex the Giant Slayer—call her any moniker you want, but one thing is sure:

She’s going for the kill.

Entering the prestigious US Open tournament as a massive underdog against the higher-seeded Clara Tauson of Denmark, the 20-year-old teen wonder from the Philippines made major headlines after becoming the first Filipina to win a match in a Grand Slam event since the Open Era was introduced.

On Aug. 25, 2025, Eala pulled off a massive comeback after clawing her way from a 1-5 deficit in the third set to shock Tauson, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11), to advance to the second round of the ongoing US Open tourney at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.

‘HOT START’

After a 1-2 deficit in the opening set, Eala found her footing in the fourth game as she finally found her groundstroke rhythm to level at 2-all.

The breakthrough moment then came in the next game when Eala scored a crucial break point to gain a 3-2 lead, followed by a service hold to take a 4-2 advantage.

From that point, Eala’s power-packed baseline hits became a puzzle to solve for the Denmark ace, as well as the Filipina’s aggressive net game that helped her earn freebies to move forward.

‘TAUSON REGROUPS’

With her back against the wall, the three-time WTA Tour title winner leaned on her bread and butter—a combination of a deadly service game and a more consistent forehand during the long rally exchanges.

Tauson adjusted and threw flatter strokes for a faster return, negating Eala’s topspin bite, which turned into unforced errors in the final two game sets.

Aside from her groundstroke resurgence, Tauson fired more efficient lob shots that kept Eala on the baseline during the closing sets.

‘COMEBACK FOR THE AGES’

Down 1-5 in the third and final set, every Filipino hopeful who came to see Eala play in New York was already in dead silence.

You could have heard a pin drop.

Tauson only needed a single game to seal the match, but the young Filipina netter gave them a new lease on life and became resilience personified.

Eala saved five game points, holding herself together in the most crucial moments of the third frame.

It wasn’t an easy comeback to complete, as the Filipina needed an almost perfect display of tennis—highlighted by two break points and insane forehand winners—to slowly claw her way back into the match.

When the game was tied again at 5-all, a much-needed Eala service hold helped her return to the driver’s seat with a 6-5 lead.

Tauson wouldn’t be denied, answering with a hold and setting up a mano-a-mano deciding set that saw Eala pounce first with a 4-2 lead.

The match became a trade of scoring runs, reaching an 11-all deadlock after Eala committed a backhand return error.

Eala reached another match point after a successful baseline drive winner, 12-11, and the fans already stood to their feet with the young prodigy nearing the finish line.

During the nine-shot exchange, Eala finally got the job done, capping off her US Open main draw debut with a first-round win following a costly error from Tauson.

“Oh my God. It was so, so difficult,” Eala said during her post-game interview.

“She’s a huge player, a great player, and definitely not an easy draw in the first round. I was just thinking to push the limit—physically, mentally—this was it.”

You’ve done it, Alex! Mabuhay ka!