Alex Eala rallies on the third set while down at 1-5 | Photo by Troi Santos
FLUSHING, NY – In absolutely epic fashion, Alex Eala stunned No. 14 seed Clara Tauson in the first round of the 2025 US Open, winning 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11). She defied the concerns of some who doubted she had a chance to defeat Tauson. It was a historic moment when Eala became the first Filipino woman to win a Grand Slam match in the Open era.
The drama peaked in the third set when Eala was down 1-5, but she clawed her way back, fueled by a roaring Filipino crowd in New York. A controversial video review late in the match ruled in her favor, and she eventually closed it out after five match points.
She dropped to the court in disbelief, and the Grandstand erupted. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement.
Eala played with the heart of a warrior and the poise of a seasoned pro. Her match against Tauson was a masterclass in grit, strategy, and emotional control. Eala’s performance was a display of tactical brilliance, marked by her baseline consistency, as she kept her rallies alive with deep, angled shots, forcing Tauson to overhit. She also had a brilliant selection of shots, mixing up pace and spin to use drop shots and lobs and disrupt Tauson’s rhythm. Her being a left-handed serve and cross-court forehand created awkward angles for Tauson, especially on break points.
Roseann Manalili of East Elmhurst, NY, was proud of the outcome of a nail-biting episode in the third set with the score at 1-5 in favor of Tauson. “But, I’m glad she prevailed despite some fans leaving their seats to exit,” she said.
Down 1-5 in the third set, she saved multiple match points and won five straight games to force a tiebreak. In the tiebreak, she held her nerve through, finally sealing it 13-11 on her fifth match point after playing 2 hours and 32 minutes before a crowd of more than 8,000 in the bleachers.
The crowd lifted Eala
The crowd reacted to Tauson’s visible frustration that became part of the match’s emotional narrative, contrasting sharply with Eala’s calm and focused demeanor. Tauson approached the umpire and complained, which led to the crowd loudly booing her, in contrast to Eala’s “Let’s Go Alex, Let’s Go.”
Tauson appeared visibly frustrated, especially in the third set when she was serving for the match at 5–4. After a controversial net-call went in Eala’s favor, Tauson not only argued about the ruling but also seemed rattled by the boos and cheers erupting from the stands.
Her body language—eye rolls, muttering, and pacing—suggested she was struggling to block out the noise and stay focused.
The crowd’s energy lifted Eala, who raised her fist and fed off the chants to mount a comeback. Tauson, meanwhile, lost momentum, and her irritation may have contributed to unforced errors and missed opportunities.
It was a moment where tennis rules, crowd dynamics, and mental fortitude collided – and Eala emerged as the composed victor. It was a textbook case of how crowd behavior can tilt the emotional balance of a match. Tauson’s annoyance became part of the drama—and Eala’s triumph.
“I love Alex. This match was amazing. She didn’t quit even when she was down,” Nick Lansigan Jr. said. “When almost everyone gave up on her, Eala had that mental toughness to follow through, and she won! That’s grit and determination.”
The Grandstand, where the match was played, was packed with Filipino fans waving flags and chanting the now familiar “battle cry,” “Let’s Go Alex, Let’s Go.” Eala didn’t just tolerate the noise- she thrived in it, using it to fuel her comeback.
“It is my first time watching Alex Eala play. I am so amazed at her tenacity and her winning attitude,” said Lorenzo Rubia of Port Jefferson, NY. “I, myself, doubted she would be able to recover at 1-5 during the third set, but she clawed back. It must have been a miracle.”
Eala’s win rate on hard courts is nearly 67%, her best surface by far, according to an opinion by Callum Davies of tennishead.net. She has beaten top-tier players like Iga Swiatek, Madison Keys, and Jelena Ostapenko on hard courts this year – so it wasn’t a fluke, but rather a continuation of her form.
Tauson Goes Home
Clara Tauson is officially out of the 2025 US Open following her dramatic first-round loss. Her exit is one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far, especially given her strong form leading into the Open. She had reached the semifinals in Montreal and was coming off a win over Iga Swiatek.
While Tauson did not give a detailed press conference immediately after the match, reports noted she left the court quickly, skipping the usual post-match handshake with the umpire.
Her body language—tight-lipped, head down, and minimal interaction—suggested deep disappointment, especially after being just three points away from victory.
Eala faces Bucsa Next
Meanwhile, Eala advances to the second round and will face Cristina Bucsa next, who defeated Claire Liu in their first-round match with a commanding score of 6-2, 6-1. It sets up a compelling match-up. Bucsa is ranked No. 95, while Eala sits higher at No. 75. They have played once before – in Grenoble 2021, where Eala won in a tight three-setter: 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8).
Bucsa brings Olympic pedigree, having won bronze in doubles at the 2024 Paris Games, and she is a seasoned Grand Slam competitor. However, Eala’s momentum and crowd support could be decisive, but Bucsa’s experience and tactical depth make this a real test, according to tennis buffs contributing their analysis.,
Eala will face Bucsa from Spain in the second round of the 2025 US Open on Wednesday, August 27, with the match scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST).
This Round of 64 clash will be played on an outdoor hard court, marking their first professional meeting on this surface. Bucsa comes in fresh off a dominant win over Claire Liu, while Eala rides the momentum of her historic upset over Clara Tauson.
