Alex Eala stuns world No. 14 Tauson, clinches historic US Open victory

Marcos says she's only getting started

- By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR and ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

On a day devoted to honoring the bravery of Philippine national heroes, Alex Eala showed the same unyielding spirit with a historic victory at the US Open early Monday, August 25 (Philippine time).

President Marcos congratulated Eala after she became the first Filipino to win a singles match at a Grand Slam tournament in the Open era, saying the tennis heroine was only getting started.

"She's only getting started! Congratulations, Alex! Kasama mo ang buong Pilipinas sa bawat laban mo (The whole Philippines is with you in every battle)," he said in a Facebook post on Monday, Aug. 25.

"Sama-sama naming isisigaw sa mundo ang galing ng Pilipino (Together we will show the world the greatness of the Filipino)!" he added.

The 20-year-old Eala, the country's top-ranked tennis player, clawed her way back from the brink of defeat and a 1-5 third-set deficit to stun world No. 14 Clara Tauson, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (11), and advance to the second round of the Grand Slam tournament.

Her win marked a monumental milestone as she became the first Filipino in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles match.

Though thousands of miles away from home, Eala felt the unwavering support of Filipino fans -- both in the stands and across social media.