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| Alex Eala got a free ride to the Miami Open quarterfinals after Paula Badosa's back injury forced her to beg off. |
MANILA—Alex Eala has reached her first WTA 1000 event quarterfinal without hitting a ball, as World No. 10 Paula Badosa withdrew from their scheduled Miami Open fourth-round match on Tuesday morning (Manila Time) due to a low back injury.
Eala, who entered the tournament as a wildcard, was set to face Badosa after securing a career-best victory over World No. 5 and reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the third round.
Badosa, who defeated 20th seed Clara Tauson in straight sets on Monday, required a medical timeout during her match before ultimately deciding to withdraw.
Eala will take on the winner of the last round of 16 match between Ukranian 22nd seed Elina Svitolina and Polish World No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
With this result, the 19-year-old prodigy becomes the first Filipina to reach a WTA 1000 quarterfinal in the Open Era, continuing a momentous run at the Miami Open.
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