Alexandra Eala kicked off her Miami Open with a gritty win, rallying from a set down to beat Laura Siegemund.
The match wasn’t without its frustrations. Siegemund, known for taking her time between points, drew some criticism from Eala over the pace of play.
Despite the slow pace and the drama that followed, Eala kept her composure and battled back to secure her spot in round three.
Eala is defending semi-final points from last year’s breakout run but has made it clear she isn’t feeling any extra pressure this time around.
Eala riding strong form into Miami: ‘The truth is I’ve been working really hard’
Eala has been in strong form throughout 2026, climbing as high as World No. 29 during the season.
But the points she earned from last year’s tournament have since dropped off, causing her to slip back to World No. 48.
Even with the ranking shift, Eala isn’t worried about matching last year’s run in Miami.
In an interview with the WTA Tour, she said: “Opinions or expectations can change. That is not in your control. What I know are facts and truths, and the truth is that I’ve been working really hard.”
“And I know I’ve been taking the right steps and approaching it in the right way in terms of what I need to do on court. So that gives me more calm.”
“And fortunately, I’ve been doing well between last year’s Miami and this year’s Miami, so I’m in a position where this tournament is not all or nothing. You know what I mean?”
Magda Linette awaits Eala next round after the Pole knocked out world number one Swiatek earlier this week.
Alexandra Eala’s 2025 Miami Open Semi-Final Run: A Look Back at Her Breakout Performance
Eala’s run to the semi-finals in Miami last year was one of the standout moments of her early career, and she has continued to build on that success ever since.
While she had already shown promise on the tour, it was this Masters event that really put her on the map.
Entering as a wild card, she stunned many by taking down Katie Volynets, Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek en route to the semi-finals.
Her tournament came to an end against Jessica Pegula after a hard-fought three-set match, but the impact of her run was clear.
This year, with Swiatek already out early, there’s every chance Eala could put together another deep run.
The toughest opponent she might face before the quarter-finals is Karolina Muchova, who could be waiting for her in the fourth round.
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