Alex Eala gets first-round bye at Miami Open as another Swiatek showdown looms

Another tantalizing chapter in Alex Eala’s budding head-to-head rivalry with Iga Swiatek may be just around the corner.

The Filipina tennis ace finds herself on a possible collision course once again with world No. 3 Swiatek at the Miami Open, as both landed in the same section of the draw and could meet in the Round of 32. 

[Photo: WTA]

But before that can happen, both players must first get through their opening assignments.

As seeded entries, Eala and Swiatek received first-round byes.

Eala – now the world no. 29 — will start her campaign against the winner of Laura Siegemund and Petra Marcinko, while Swiatek opens against the survivor of the Magda Linette-Varvara Gracheva clash.

While they've only met twice before, Eala and Swiatek's shared history already carries plenty of intrigue.

It was in Miami last year where Eala truly announced herself on the world stage, with her stirring semifinal run coming with victories over three Grand Slam champions in Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and the then no. 2 Swiatek.

[RELATED: Alex Eala reflects on dream Miami Open run — ‘The real work starts now’]

Eala shocked Swiatek in the quarterfinals last year, taking the 6-2, 7-5 win.

[RELATED: Life comes full circle as Alex Eala stuns tennis idol Iga Swiatek in a huge upset]

Though her dream run eventually ended at the hands of Jessica Pegula, Miami became the tournament where Eala’s rise truly began and where the rest of the tennis world took notice.

[RELATED: Alex Eala reflects on milestone Miami Open run ahead of 2026 return]

Swiatek answered a month later at the Madrid Open, after battling back from a set down to pull off a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win.

Now, one year later, Eala returns to South Florida with the possibility of another marquee clash against one of tennis’ biggest names.

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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.

Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.