Unity

After Carlos Yulo, another athlete unites the country in celebration. Invited a wild card to the main draw of the Miami Open, Alex Eala played wilder and sent her country to wildest frenzy.

- Ferdinand G. S. Gujilde

A top 100 outsider, Alex stunned her 73rd ranked American foe in the first round. Neither beginner’s luck nor fluke. For in the next round she played razor-sharp to beat razor-thin a former French Open champion currently ranked 25th, earning her a congratulatory message from the king of clay whose tennis academy the Filipina is alumna.

Not a surprise, the 19-year old already showed what she can do when she forced a 23rd ranked Chinese to a final set in the last Asiad singles semis. Alex lost and settled for bronze but proved she can do some damage.