Stats - Eala Matches Henin and Azarenka’s Performances in Miami

Adrien Guyot

le 27/03/2025 à 08h59

2 min to read

Azarenka Eala Henin Miami

Alexandra Eala is living a true fairy tale at the WTA 1000 in Miami. The world No. 140 has qualified for the semifinals of a main-draw tournament for the first time in her career, and she picked the perfect moment to do so—achieving this feat at a prestigious event.

The first Filipino player to reach this stage of a WTA tournament, the 19-year-old Eala has defeated Katie Volynets, Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, Paula Badosa (via walkover), and Iga Swiatek, claiming the scalps of three former Grand Slam champions along the way.

She now becomes the second wild card to eliminate at least three Major titleholders in a single main-draw tournament, following Elina Svitolina, who accomplished the same feat at Wimbledon in 2023.

This run will propel her into the top 80 after the tournament, with the potential for an even higher ranking by the end of the week. Ahead of her semifinal against Jessica Pegula this Thursday, Eala has already etched her name into the history books of the Florida tournament.

Indeed, as a wild card entrant, Alexandra Eala has matched the best performance by a wild card in the women’s draw at the Miami WTA 1000.

In 2010, Justine Henin also reached the semifinals (losing to Kim Clijsters), and in 2018, Victoria Azarenka did the same, falling only to Sloane Stephens at that stage.

Now, if she manages to defeat the world No. 4 in the coming hours, Eala would make even greater history. She would become the first player from her country to reach a WTA final and the only wild card ever to advance to the Miami final. Tune in this Thursday—it could be a historic moment.