Eala is the first woman from the Philippines to win a Slam match. She got help from video review

“I was playing really bad, anyway. But it definitely didn’t help,” Tauson told The Associated Press. “But that’s how life is.”

Eala is a 20-year-old who is ranked 75th and trains at the Rafael Nadal Academy. This was her fourth win against a top-20 opponent in 2025, including against Iga Swiatek in March en route to the Miami Open semifinals.

Her milestone victory on Sunday for the Philippines meant a lot to Eala.

“I’m so blessed to be the first to do this. I take so much pride in representing my country,” she said. “It makes what I do bigger than myself.”

The pivotal moment came in the last set at the Grandstand, with Tauson clinging to a 5-4 lead and serving for the match for the second time. Eala hit a shot right up near the net and it wasn't immediately clear during play whether or not her racket had crossed over the tape to make contact with the ball, which isn't allowed.

Chair umpire Kader Nouni employed video review, a system that was introduced at the U.S. Open in 2023 on a small number of courts to allow officials to check calls such as double bounces and was expanded to all 17 competition arenas this year.

Nouni ruled that Eala hit the ball fairly and awarded her the point, giving her two break chances at 15-40. There was a lengthy delay before action resumed, though, with Tauson complaining and telling Nouni: “Look at the ball. What is your opinion about this? What is your opinion?”

Some in the stands booed her.

“I don't need to watch it again. (It was an) incorrect call. My coach said the same. Physio said the same. And especially if my coach says that, I know that I'm not in the wrong, because he’s often telling me I'm wrong,” Tauson said with a hint of a laugh in an interview a little more than a half-hour after the match ended. “So I have nothing else to say, other than it’s an incorrect decision. I don't know we can do that with VR. I don't know how that's even possible.”

Even after his decision was made clear to all, Tauson took some extra time before hitting her next serve, standing with both hands on her hips at the baseline. Eventually, Tauson double-faulted, making it 5-all and drawing a rowdy reaction from a crowd that was loudly supporting Eala.

“The whole stadium was with her, so I’m sure the umpire felt pressure,” Tauson said.

That gave Eala 16 of 21 points in that span, and soon she was one away from victory. Took a bit longer, though: In the end, she needed five match points to close out the win after more than 2 1/2 hours.

When Tauson sent one last forehand long, Eala dropped to her back on the court, chest heaving, and covered her face with both hands.

After Eala arose, and met Tauson at the net for a handshake, the winner skipped around the court while the spectators roared their approval.

“I was just so over the moon,” Eala said, “and it was just such a rush of emotions.”

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Alexandra Eala, of the Philippines, reacts after defeating Clara Tauson, of Denmark, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Alexandra Eala, of the Philippines, reacts after defeating Clara Tauson, of Denmark, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Alexandra Eala, of the Philippines, reacts after defeating Clara Tauson, of Denmark, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Clara Tauson, of Denmark, reacts between points against Alexandra Ella, of the Philippines, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Alexandra Eala, of the Philippines, reacts after scoring a point against Clara Tauson, of Denmark, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Alexandra Eala, of the Philippines, returns a shot to Clara Tauson, of Denmark, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Clara Tauson, of Denmark contests a call with the chair umpire between serves against Alexandra Ella, of the Philippines, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Real Madrid was jeered by its disgruntled fans before Kylián Mbappé scored to spark a 2-0 win over Levante in La Liga on Saturday.

Spectators at the Santiago Bernabeu whistled, booed and waved white handkerchiefs before the opening kickoff to express their anger after back-to-back losses and a sudden coaching change.

Madrid fired Xabi Alonso after last weekend’s loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final only for the team to then lose to a second-tier side in the Copa del Rey in the debut of Alonso’s replacement.

New coach Álvaro Arbeloa, who was promoted from the B team, as well as his players could have ill afforded another slip against a relegation-threatened Levante in front of their home supporters.

Levante, however, generated as much in attack as Madrid did in the first half. It took a penalty converted by Mbappé in the 58th to break the deadlock after the striker was fouled by Adrián de la Fuente.

Raúl Asencio thumped in a header after a corner kick by Arda Guler to double the lead in the 65th.

“It was important to win today,” Arbeloa said. “We knew where we were coming from. We had had a difficult week that was not easy to overcome. We did so by winning in front of our fans.

"I have always respected (the fans) of the Bernabeu. I was whistled at (when I was a Madrid defender), and what makes this club great is the degree of excellence demanded of it.”

Vinícius Júnior, who reportedly did not see eye to eye with Alonso, was among the players who received the loudest jeers. Some fans also shouted at club president Florentino Pérez for his handling of the Alonso firing and the subpar play of the team.

Mbappé, who appeared in only one of Madrid’s last four games, was back starting after recovering from a left knee sprain.

Jude Bellingham and other regulars were also in the lineup after Arbeloa left the England midfielder and other key players off his squad for the humbling loss at Albacete on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey.

Madrid, despite its trouble, closed to within one point of Barcelona before the leader visits Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Third-placed Villarreal stumbled after losing at Real Betis 2-0, staying eight points off Barcelona's pace.

Aitor Rubial and Pablo Fornals scored in the second half for the hosts as Betis remained in sixth.

Mallorca's Vedat Muriqi scored a hat trick to lead a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao.

The Kosovo striker scored early and capitalized on two penalties. He scored a rebound of a save of his first spot kick by Unai Simón before Nico Williams leveled it at 2-2 before halftime. Muriqi then converted a second penalty with 20 minutes left.

Osasuna beat bottom side Oviedo 3-2.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa watches from the sideline the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Levante in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Raul Asencio celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Levante in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Raul Asencio, right, celebrates with teammate Kylian Mbappe after scoring his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Levante in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)