Cnn
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Philippin teenager Alexandra EalaThe fairy tale race at Miami Open this year ended after the 19 -year -old lost against us stars Jessica Pegula In the semi-finals on Thursday.
Eala had done history With a series of impressive results in the tournament, where she beat the Grand Slam champions such as Iga świątek, Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys.
The current world n ° 140 had the hope of reaching its first WTA final, but saw this dream annihilated by Pegula n ° 4, with the American winning in three tight sets-7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3.
Despite the loss, Eala wore a radiant smile on her face before leaving the field, the crowd applauding him for a memorable race.
“To have a week like this, the stars must line up and they did it this week, and I hope that I will be able to continue, that’s my goal now, to continue,” said Eala, according to BBC Sport.
Eala was one of the tennis’ Most exciting perspectives For a certain time, winning the title of singles of the girls of the United States in 2022 and the duplicate titles of girls at the Open of France 2021 and the Australian Open 2020.
His victory in 2022 led her to celebrity at home and led her to adorn the cover of Vogue Philippines shortly after.
Three years later and it seems that Eala finally found her feet during the senior tour.
Her dream race in Miami saw him became the first Philippine to reach a WTA semi-final and she will also become the first Philippine to enter the top 100 of the world after reaching the Final Four.
“She is really good. She is a very good tennis player, goes for her shots, takes the ball early, she is very good in competition, she beat a lot of best players this week,” Pegula said After winning the match.
“I don’t think she needs me to tell her that she is a big player, that we are not going to see enough of her. We are definitively, and she proved it tonight.”
Pegula will now face the world n ° 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Miami Open final.
Sabalenka reserved her ticket in two sets-6-2, 6-2-against Jasmina Paolini in the other semi-final on Thursday.
Despite all the success of his career, Sabalenka has never reached the final of the Miami Open, but was grateful for the elements of his game by clicking during an impressive performance in the semi-final.
“I really say it was one of the best games of the season so far”, Sabalenka said After a dominant display where she struck 31 winners.
“I don’t know. I was so focused on myself, on the things I had to do today.
“It was as if everything was going, as, very gently. Yes, super happy with performance. I felt like I was in the area. ”
The Miami Open final will take place on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.
