[ad_1]
NEW YORK — Alexandra Eala grew to become the primary participant representing the Philippines to win a Grand Slam match within the Open period, doing so on the US Open by defeating No. 14 seed Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) on Sunday after getting back from a 5-1 deficit within the third set and getting some assist from a key video assessment resolution.
Eala is a 20-year-old who’s ranked seventy fifth and trains on the Rafael Nadal Academy. This was her fourth win towards a top-20 opponent in 2025, together with towards Iga Swiatek in March en path to the Miami Open semifinals.
Flushing Meadows could be very near an space of Queens often called Little Manila due to the big Filipino neighborhood they usually flocked to Grandstand to cheer on Eala, one of many rising stars of the ladies’s tour.
“To be Filipino is one thing I take a lot satisfaction in,” Eala stated. “I haven’t got a house match so to have the ability to have this neighborhood right here on the US Open, I am so grateful they made me really feel like I am residence.”
The pivotal second got here within the final set, with Tauson clinging to a 5-4 lead and serving for the match for the second time. Eala hit a shot proper up close to the web and it wasn’t instantly clear throughout play whether or not or not her racket had crossed over the tape to make contact with the ball, which is not allowed.
Chair umpire Kader Nouni employed video assessment, a system that was launched on the US Open in 2023 on a small variety of courts to permit officers to verify calls resembling double bounces and was expanded to all 17 competitors arenas this yr.
Nouni dominated that Eala hit the ball pretty and awarded her the purpose, giving her two break possibilities at 15-40 there. There was a prolonged delay earlier than motion resumed, although, with Tauson complaining and telling Nouni: “Have a look at the ball. What’s your opinion about this? What’s your opinion?” Some within the stands booed her.
Even after his resolution was made clear to all, Tauson took some additional time earlier than hitting her subsequent serve, standing with each arms on her hips on the baseline. Ultimately, Tauson double-faulted, making it 5-all and drawing a rowdy response from a crowd that was loudly supporting Eala.
That gave Eala 16 of the final 21 factors and shortly she was one away from victory. Took a bit longer, although: Ultimately, she wanted 5 match factors to shut out the win after greater than 2½ hours.
When Tauson despatched one final forehand lengthy, Eala dropped to her again on the courtroom, chest heaving, and lined her face with each arms.
After Eala arose, and met Tauson on the internet for a handshake, the winner skipped across the courtroom whereas the spectators roared their approval.
ESPN Analysis, The Related Press and PA contributed to this report.
[ad_2]