A triumph of resilience

Eala smashes historic victory

MANILA, Philippines — From the brink to glory.

On National Heroes’ Day at home, Alex Eala set out on her US Open main draw debut yesterday and put up her own bravery in pulling off a dramatic 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) comeback win in New York over world No. 15 Clara Tauson of Denmark.

History was made as Eala fought back from what had looked like an imminent loss in the deciding set, thriving, surviving and eventually annexing a first-ever Grand Slam victory, to the roaring approval of the cheering crowd at the Grandstand inside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows.

In a triumph of unwavering grit and resilience, Eala overcame a 1-5 deficit in the final set for the epic win carved out in two hours and 36 minutes.

As if she doesn’t boast enough “firsts” yet for Philippine tennis, the 20-year-old Eala soared to greater heights, becoming the first Filipino player to score a main draw victory in any Grand Slam tournament.

“I’m super over the moon with what I was able to do today, especially coming back in the third,” Eala said. “It’s a very special win for me.

“I was just so over the moon, and it was just such a rush of emotions,” she added. “I think so many factors made the match so special. I’ve been on the losing side of these tight tiebreaks before, so to be on the winning side, it’s very memorable.”

Up next for Eala is WTA No. 35 Cristina Bucsa of Spain or qualifier Claire Liu of the United States in the second round of her stacked bracket that includes No. 1 and reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka, No. 4 Jessica Pegula, No. 5 Mirra Andreeva, No. 8 Jasmine Paolini and No. 10 Elena Rybakina.

“The key for my upcoming match is just to come in with the same mentality, same fight,” she said. “Right now I’m just focused on recovering.”

But that can wait as Eala basks in glory for now. And maybe forever.

“I’m always in the mood for more history. This match is one for the books for me,” said the unseeded Eala, WTA No. 75, after knocking out the grizzled Dane.

And Eala etched history in front of more than 8,000 fans in awe of the “Filipino resilience” in the very venue where she reigned as the 2022 US Open girls’ singles champion.

For Eala, the crowd – including her family, coaches at the Rafael Nadal Academy and casual tennis fans – turning to her own felt like a homecourt advantage thousands of miles away from home.

“It’s so special. They make me more and more special. To be Filipino is something I take so much pride in,” beamed Eala, showered by cheers after the Danish’s return went out of bounds for the Filipina clincher in the extended tiebreaker.

“I don’t have a home tournament, so to be able to have this community at the US Open, I’m so grateful. They made me feel like I’m home.”

Also in euphoria were Filipinos back home, led by no less than President Marcos.

“She’s only getting started. Congratulations Alex Eala. Kasama mo ang buong Pilipinas sa bawat laban mo. Sama-sama naming isisigaw sa mundo ang galing ng Pilipino,” Marcos said.

Indeed, it was a fight like no other.

Fresh from a minor shoulder injury last month, Eala was headed for defeat despite taking the first set, 6-3, when Tauson rode on the momentum of 6-2 retaliation to shatter the gates wide open in the third, 5-1.

Tauson, in her best WTA Tour season so far marked by a massive win against world No. 2 Iga Swiatek to reach the semifinals of the National Bank Open in Montreal, Canada last month, needed only a game to advance, only for Eala to unleash a staggering 5-1 closeout to force a tiebreak.

One of the defining moments that turned the tide was the tenth game, third set when Eala broke Tauson’s serve with a smashing short heave at the net, which the frustrated Dane contested only to fuel the Filipina pride even more – and the crowd as well.

“I was playing really bad, anyway. But it definitely didn’t help,” Tauson told The Associated Press. “But that’s how life is.”

Chair umpire Kader Nouni employed video review, a system that was introduced at the US Open in 2023 on a small number of courts to allow officials to check calls such as double bounces and was expanded to all 17 competition arenas this year.

Nouni ruled that Eala hit the ball fairly and awarded her the point, giving her two break chances at 15-40. There was a lengthy delay before action resumed, though, with Tauson complaining and telling Nouni: “Look at the ball. What is your opinion about this? What is your opinion?”

Some in the stands booed her. — Helen Flores