MIAMI: Alexandra Eala, a 19-year-old wildcard from the Philippines, produced a huge upset at the Miami Open on Wednesday, defeating world number two Iga Swiatek 6-2 7-5 to reach the semifinals.
Ranked 140th in the world, Eala, the first woman from her country to reach the last eight of a WTA 1000 tournament, took advantage of a unusually poor display from Swiatek, keeping her focus as she fought back from 4-2 down in the second set.
Eala broke the Pole for the eighth and final time when Swiatek was serving to stay in the match at 6-5 down in the second set and looked in disbelief as she struggled to contain her emotions.
“It’s just surreal,” said Eala, who has now beaten three grand slam winners on her route to the last four at Miami — having dealt with Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys before upsetting four-time French Open champion Swiatek.
“I’m trusting my shots and I have a great team to tell me that I can do it,” she said.
Eala moved to Spain at the age of 13 to join Rafael Nadal’s academy in Mallorca.
Eala will face the winner of Wednesday’s quarter-final between Britain’s Emma Raducanu and American Jessica Pegula.
Philippines teen Eala ousts No.2 Swiatek from Miami Open
https://arab.news/v4bw7
Philippines teen Eala ousts No.2 Swiatek from Miami Open
- Eala broke the Pole for the eighth and final time when Swiatek was serving to stay
- “It’s just surreal,” said Eala
Saudi Arabia need extra-time to halt Palestine's dream run at Arab Cup, edge into semi-finals
DOHA: Saudi Arabia ended Palestine’s impressive Arab Cup run with a hard-fought 2-1 extra-time victory on Thursday, securing their place in the semi-finals after a tense quarter-final in Al Rayyan.
Herve Renard’s side dominated long spells of the first half, probing patiently against a disciplined Palestinian defence that had kept two clean sheets in the group stage.
The Green Falcons came closest late in the opening period when a deep cross opened up space for Feras Al-Buraikan, only for Hamed Hamdan to produce a crucial last-ditch clearance.
Saudi Arabia eventually broke through early in the second half via their talisman Salem Al-Dawsari, whose sharp first touch drew a foul from Mohammed Saleh inside the area.
Al-Buraikan converted the ensuing penalty with confidence to give the Saudis a deserved lead.
But Palestine responded immediately.
Oday Dabbagh controlled a cross from Hassan Altambakti with a superb first touch before finishing clinically to level the match and reignite hopes of a historic semi-final berth.
Saudi Arabia thought they had a chance to retake the lead late on when they were awarded another penalty, but VAR overturned the decision. With the teams locked at 1-1, the match went to extra time.
Just as a shootout loomed, Mohamed Kanno delivered the decisive moment, rising to head home a pinpoint cross from Al-Dawsari and send the Green Falcons into the final four, while bringing an admirable Palestinian campaign to an end.
