By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala is shifting her attention to the Miami Open after her fourth-round finish at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California.
Speaking before a packed interview room after her 2-6, 0-6 loss to world No. 14 Linda Noskova, the 20-year-old Filipina ace said she is leaving the tournament with plenty of lessons to be learned.
“I do leave with happiness,” Eala said. “I think tomorrow I’ll be a bit happier than I am now. Of course, the initial feelings after the match are a tough pill to swallow, but I’m in the fourth round of Indian Wells. It’s still something I’m really proud of.”
Seeded 31st in the WTA1000 event, Eala secured an opening-round bye before escaping Dayana Yastremska, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5. She prevailed in the Round of 32 after world No. 4 Coco Gauff retired with an arm injury, 6-2, 2-0, before yielding to Noskova.
Eala also competed in the doubles with Iva Jovic, but the Filipina-American duo quickly succumbed to veterans Jelena Ostapenko and Hailey Baptiste, 2-6, 2-6, in the opening round.
The Miami Open, which begins on Tuesday, March 17, holds a special place for Eala as it was where she made her breakthrough on the tour last year.
Ranked outside of 130, Eala turned heads by stunning one Grand Slam champion after another — Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek — before losing to 2024 US Open finalist Jessica Pegula in the semifinal.
“Miami last year was a beautiful time for me and it was the start of all of this, but since then, I’ve achieved a lot. I’ve grown, and I’ve had so many good matches, so many tough lessons and so much experience,” Eala said.
“It doesn’t matter if I win the tournament in Miami or if I lose in the first round. I know I’m here to stay,” she added.
Ranked No. 32 entering Indian Wells, Eala is expected to barge into the Top 30 by the end of the week with a live ranking of No. 28. The official rankings are published every Monday once tournaments on the tour calendar are completed.
