Alex Eala getting used to big stages as Miami Open run continues

2026-03-23 - 09:00

MANILA, Philippines – As Alex Eala plays more and more big tournaments, she also gets to test her mettle against the best players in the world. And those experiences have shaped her confidence and consistency as the 20-year-old reached the fourth round of a WTA 1000 event — tournaments that are only a tier below the prestigious Grand Slams — for the third straight time. Eala is through to the round of 16 of the Miami Open where she will face world No. 14 Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic on Monday, March 23. “It does take a little getting used to. I’ve warmed up to it, for sure,” Eala told Tennis Channel when asked about her adjustment to competing in top-level events like Miami. “The biggest thing I’ve had to adjust to, of course, is the level of players.” “Every match is a very high level of competition so you don’t really have room to let your guard down. It’s very demanding. But I’m happy that I’m able to play some good tennis and see progress in my game.” So far this 2026, Eala — who is ranked 29th in the world — has played in five matches against players in the top 20, and the results have been a mixed bag. Eala claimed her first top-10 victim of the year when she stunned No. 7 Jasmine Paolini of Italy in the round of 32 of the WTA 1000 Dubai Tennis Championships in February before she saw her run come to an end at the hands of No. 4 Coco Gauff of the United States in the quarterfinals. The Filipina got back at Gauff in the round of 32 of the WTA 1000 Indian Wells Open earlier this March, a match which Eala had been dominating before the two-time major winner retired due to an injury, but lost her next match to No. 13 Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic in the round of 16. Her other top-20 match ended in a loss to No. 11 Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open in February. “It’s definitely taken a toll mentally, but that’s also part of the process of becoming a better player and a mature person is knowing how to handle that,” said Eala of going up against the top players. “I think one of the things I’ve been learning to do is kind of switch off the tennis mode, fill my cup outside tennis.” Beating Muchova for a spot in the quarterfinals will be a tall order for Eala, especially since the Czech star has barely lost this year, with her 2026 record going into her match against the Filipina standing at 16-3. Also, Muchova won one of the first four WTA 1000 events of the year by ruling the Qatar Open. But as daunting as the task is, Eala looks forward to the challenge Muchova poses. “I’m excited to see how I’m able to compete with her. I’m sure I’ll be put in a lot of tough positions. But I’m super excited,” said Eala. – Rappler.com