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Agence France-Presse

Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala’s remarkable run at the Miami Open came to a brave end with a three-set loss to Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals on Thursday.
In an enthralling battle over two hours and 24 minutes, fourth-seeded American Pegula emerged with a 7-6, 5-7, 6-3 win to seal a place in Saturday’s final against world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Sabalenka blasted her way into the final with a 6-2, 6-2 demolition of Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.
The 19-year-old Eala, ranked 140th in the world, had only two WTA main draw victories to her name before arriving in Miami.
She proceeded to beat three grand slam winners in Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and world No 2 Iga Swiatek.

The lowest-ranked semi-finalist in the tournament’s history, Eala seriously threatened to go one step further with another accomplished and effervescent display.
The tide looked to have turned against her when Pegula broke to go 3-1 up in the second set, but Eala broke back and her fist pump and look of determination was a sign of things to come.
Eala broke Pegula three times in the set and was broken twice herself but crucially was able to hold when serving for the set at 6-5.
Both players protected their serve better in the deciding set but Eala’s forehand let her down when the American broke to go 5-3 up and she served out for a victory that brought her visible relief.
“Of course there is disappointment right after the match,” said Eala.
“But there are just so many times in tennis where you have to dig through the dirt to look for the positive and I’m just enjoying because there is so much positive around me and I don’t know how many times that happens.”
Playing with a strapped thigh from the outset, Eala turned her ankle midway through the second set but said she had not been affected by the injury.
“I literally gave everything I had, I’m half tape, I’m like a mummy. I did everything and I have no regrets,” she said.
“To have a week like this, the stars need to align and they did this week, and hopefully I can keep that up – that is my goal now: to keep this up,” she added.
Pegula said it had been difficult to play an opponent like Eala.
“I let her back in the match at 3-1 up [in the second set] and she just started ripping her balls, going for her shots and you just have to weather the storm with people like that. She competes really well,” said the American.
Sabalenka needed just 71 minutes to wrap up her win against the sixth seed Paolini.

The Belarusian, beaten in the Indian Wells final earlier this month by Mirra Andreeva, will appear in the Miami final for the first time in her career.
Sabalenka was never behind against Paolini. She served six aces and broke the Italian’s serve four times.
“I definitely would say that this was one of the best matches in the season so far. I don’t know. I was just so focused on myself, on the things I had to do today,” she said.
On the men’s side, Novak Djokovic reached the semi-finals with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-6 win in his delayed last-eight clash with Sebastian Korda.
The 37-year-old, bidding for a record seventh men’s singles title in the event but a first since 2016, will now play Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the final.
Czech teenager Jakub Mensik continued his run with a 7-6, 6-1 win over Arthur Fils. In the semi-finals he will face third-seed Taylor Fritz who beat Italy’s Matteo Berrettini 7-5, 6-7, 7-5.


Miami Open: Alexandra Eala dream run ends as Jessica Pegula sets up Aryna Sabalenka final

Philippine wild card Alexandra Eala beats world No 2 at Miami Open tennis quarter-finals

Miami Open: Filipino Alexandra Eala stuns Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula stops Emma Raducanu

Miami Open: China’s Zheng Qinwen out after defeat by Aryna Sabalenka

WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

The 19-year-old Alexandra Eala had only two WTA main draw victories to her name before arriving in Miami, but came away with the scalps of three grand slam winners. Photo: AFP

Jessica Pegula celebrates winning match point against Alexandra Eala. Photo: AFP

Aryna Sabalenka beat sixth seed Jasmine Paolini in just 71 minutes. Photo: Reuters

Fantasy Premier League: who’s hurt, which teams to target, best Gameweek 30 Wildcard draft

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak could be a Triple Captain option for Double Gameweek 32. Photo: Reuters

Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood was withdrawn by his New Zealand team with an injury. Photo: dpa

The author’s Wildcard Gameweek 30 team is loaded with Crystal Palace and Newcastle players. 

Hong Kong Sevens ready to grow into new home, New Zealand eye double three-peat

The men’s and women’s team captains assemble at Kai Tak Stadium on the eve of the tournament. Photo: May Tse

Staff make final preparations on the pitch at Kai Tak Stadium this week. Photo: May Tse

Sport

Tennis

Filipino Eala, the lowest-ranked semi-finalist in the event’s history, fell just short of going a step further despite another good display


Filipino Eala, the lowest-ranked semi-finalist in the event’s history, fell just short of going a step further despite another good display.


ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)