Alex Eala bows to Jessica Pegula as Miami Open dream run ends

Mar 27, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHL) waves to fans from her player’s chair after her match against Jessica Pegula (USA)(not pictured) in a women’s singles semifinal on day ten of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Alex Eala ended her dream run in the 2025 Miami Open on Friday, but not before dragging World No. 4 Jessica Pegula into a grueling three-set showdown in the semifinal.

Pegula booked the spot in the final with a 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-3 win against Eala, the history maker from the Philippines, who pushed her to the limits.

LIVE: Alex Eala vs Jessica Pegula – 2025 Miami Open semifinal

Despite the loss, Eala was all smiles as she pumped her fists and waved to the gallery filled with Filipino fans.

“She’s really good. Goes for her shots, takes the ball early. Being a lefty is always tricky, competes really well. She’s beaten a lot of top players this week,” an exhausted Pegula said of Eala during her on-court interview.

Pegula faces Aryna Sabalenka, who earlier ousted Jasmine Paolini, in the final on Saturday.

Eala became the toast of the town in Miami after beating three Grand Slam champions the past week en route to the semifinal, setting the record as the first Filipino to make this deep of run in a WTA 1000 tournament.

The 19-year-old Filipino ace continued her impressive form in the semifinal against Pegula, a runner up in the 2024 US Open, losing the opening set in the tie-break and rallying to take Set 2 and forcing a decider.