Alex Eala beats world no. 14 Clara Tauson in US Open debut, makes Filipino Grand Slam history

Alex Eala of the Philippines pulled off an upset against world no. 14 Clara Tauson of Denmark, 6-3, 2-6, 7(13)-6(11), early Monday (Philippine time) in her main draw debut at the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York.

In front of a rowdy crowd of nearly 8,000 people, Eala made history by winning her first Grand Slam main draw match, becoming the first Filipino player ever to do so.

Down 5-1 in the third set, Eala regrouped and showed her determination by winning five straight games to take a 6-5 lead. Tauson, however, recovered and forced a tiebreak.

In the tiebreak, Eala held an early 8-4 lead before the Danish player scored four straight points. The two went neck and neck, but in the end, the momentum and the crowd helped Eala clinch the win.

Earlier in the match, Eala pulled ahead after trailing 2-1 in the first set, winning three consecutive games before Tauson ended the streak. The world no. 75, however, regained momentum and closed out the set.

The second set, however, favored the Danish player, who took an early 3-1 lead before Eala won another game. Tauson then displayed her composure and secured the set to force a decider.

"She’s a huge player, she’s a great player and definitely not an easy draw in the first round," Eala admitted.

Still, the Filipino player said this was a very special match for her.

"To be able to have this community at the US Open, I'm so grateful that they made me feel like I'm at home," she said. 

Eala will face the winner of the match between Spain's Cristina Bucsa and American Claire Liu in the next round.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News