The ‘insanely good’ youngster who is already being described as a ‘problem’ for every woman on the WTA Tour

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Several youngsters have impressed during the early months of the WTA season.

Few players have impressed more than Mirra Andreeva in 2025, who won her first two WTA 1000 titles.

Having won Dubai a few weeks earlier, Andreeva beat Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka in back-to-back matches on her way to victory at Indian Wells.

The Russian’s performances saw her reach a career high WTA ranking of sixth, as she continues her rapid rise to the top of women’s tennis.

However, with Andreeva losing early in Miami, it was another teenager who impressed, reaching the semi-finals with several stunning wins.

Andrea Petkovic reacts to Alexandra Eala’s ‘insanely good’ run at the Miami Open and calls her a ‘problem’

Speaking on the Becker Petkovic podcast, former world number nine Andrea Petkovic gave her honest opinion on the Filipino youngster who enjoyed a breakout tournament in Miami.

“Alex Eala is a problem because Alex Eala is not in the top 100,” she said.

“She played an insanely good tournament, and for tennis fans who haven’t seen her [yet], it’s insanely fun to watch her.”

Petkovic then compared one of Eala’s shots to 24-time Major champion and Miami Open finalist Novak Djokovic.

“She is aggressive; she takes the ball early, changes incredibly well down the line out of nowhere,” she said.

“You can’t see when she goes down the line, similar to how Novak Djokovic can do that too.”

The German was also impressed by a tactic Eala deployed against Australian Open champion Madison Keys during their third-round match.

“[Eala] goes incredibly on the second serve [return], so she is almost a metre in the field on the second serves,” said Petkovic.

“Even against Madison Keys, who has a very good kick [serve], she stood one metre in.

“Madison Keys then double faults three times with the three break points she had against her, three times.

“So, even against the Australian Open winner, such a tactic works.

“It’s really a lot of fun.”

Those tactics paid off as Eala secured her first top-ten win against Keys, returning brilliantly as she booked her place in the fourth round.

The 19-year-old scored her second win over a top ten player in the quarter-finals, as Eala stunned Swiatek in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5.

Eventually losing out to Jessica Pegula in the last four, Eala left Miami with a smile on her face, having entertained the masses in the Sunshine State.

• 2025 Miami Open SF – Alexandra Eala lost to [4] Jessica Pegula, 6-7, 7-5, 3-6
• 2025 Miami Open QF – Alexandra Eala beat [2] Iga Swiatek, 6-2, 7-5
• 2025 Miami Open 4R – Alexandra Eala advanced via Walkover
• 2025 Miami Open 3R – Alexandra Eala beat [5] Madison Keys, 6-4, 6-2
• 2025 Miami Open 2R – Alexandra Eala beat [25] Jelena Ostapenko, 6-2, 7-5
• 2025 Miami Open 1R – Alexandra Eala beat Katie Volynets, 6-3, 7-6

Alexandra Eala is now the second highest ranked teenager on the WTA Tour behind Mirra Andreeva

Eala’s run in Miami saw her break into the world’s top 100 for the first time, and she currently sits in 75th place.

She is now one of just three WTA teenagers ranked inside the world’s top 100, alongside Andreeva and Australia’s Maya Joint.

Eala will have her work cut out if she wants to chase down Andreeva in the rankings, as she currently trails the Russian by just under 4,000 points.

The 19-year-old is currently scheduled to return to action in Switzerland for the ITF event in Chiasso, a tournament won by Andreeva in 2023.

Switzerland’s Chiasso Open is set to take place on clay and will begin on April 21.