By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala has earned a wildcard berth in the main draw of the 2023 Miami Open, organizers announced Tuesday, March 14 (Wednesday in Manila).
The 17-year-old Eala, currently ranked No. 220 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), earned the berth on the strength of her US Open Girls Singles victory last year.
Also in the list are Erika Andreeva, Czech Republic’s Brenda Fruhvirtova, and United States’ Ashlyn Krueger, Hailey Baptiste and Robin Montgomery.
“The wild card entrants join an already impressive lineup of the top tennis players in the world including 2022 Miami Open champions Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, 2023 Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka, and other standouts and fan favorites including Coco Gauff, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jessica Pegula, Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, Ons Jabeur, Belinda Bencic and more,” organizers said.
This marks the second time that Eala has earned a wildcard entry in the main draw after also getting a free pass last year, where she eventually lost in the first round to American Madison Brengle, 6-2, 6-1.
In 2021, she earned a wildcard in the qualifying round but also lost her first match.
The tournament, rated as a WTA 1000 and ATP 1000, is scheduled on March 19 to April 2 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
