Eala advances at US Open with gritty 3rd set comeback

ON NATIONAL HEROES’ DAY, Alexandra “Alex” Eala heroically pulled off a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) upset of world No. 15 Clara Tauson of Denmark at the US Open for her first-ever win ata Grand Slam.

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Ms. Eala became the first Filipino player to score a main-draw victory ata Grand Slam.

Up next for Ms. Eala is WTA No. 35 Cristina Bucsa of Spain or qualifier Claire Liu of the US in the second round of her stacked bracket, with World No. 21 Elise Martens of Belgium potentially looming in the third round. Past that, World No. 1 and reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka, No. 4 Jessica Pegula, No. 5 Mirra Andreeva, No. 8 Jasmine Paolini and No. 10 Elena Rybakina are also in the draw.

“I’m always in the mood for more history. This match is one for the books for me,” according to the unseeded Eala, the WTA’s No. 75, after knocking out the Dane, who was seeded 14^th in the tournament.