Alex Eala sealed a Round of 16 spot in the Miami Open on Sunday morning with a thrilling 6-3, 7-6(2) victory over Magda Linette. Afterward, the 20-year-old Quezon City native revealed the keys to her splendid win: patience and aggressiveness.
“I think patience was a very key aspect of how I played today… Magda is such a fighter, and every time I’ve played against her she’s put me in such difficult positions,” Eala said after her match with Linette. “Kudos to her for playing well. I really enjoyed the battle.”
This was the fourth matchup between Eala and Linette since 2024, with each player having two wins.
Alex Eala Touts Aggressiveness
Aside from her patience, the Pinoy pride also pointed to her aggressiveness as a big factor, not only in dispatching Linette, but also in her being able to win high-stakes games against excellent competition.
“I wanna think [being] aggressive has always kinda been what I’ve aimed to do, maybe it’s only come out well like in the past years so, I really think it’s part of my game,” she pointed out.
Alex Eala then gave credit to her “amazing team,” which she says has been crucial in developing her game enough that she can compete against the best of the best in women’s tennis.
“Of course, I have an amazing team who have really fine-tuned my game and really helped me to take it to the next level. But yeah, I think being aggressive is something that I like to do,” Eala added.
That patience and aggressiveness will both be tested later tonight, as Alex Eala will next face world No. 14 Karolina Muchova in the Round of 16.
Alex Eala Next Match
Miami Open | Round of 16
Alex Eala vs. Karolina Muchova
Date and Time: March 23, 2026 | 11:00 p.m. Philippine Standard Time
