Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala's remarkable run at the Miami Open came to a brave end with a three-set loss to Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals on Thursday.
In an enthralling and exhausting battle over 2hrs 24mins, fourth-seeded American Pegula emerged with a 7-6 (7/3) 5-7, 6-3 win to seal a place in Saturday's final against world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
The 19-year-old Eala, ranked 140th in the world, had only two WTA main draw victories to her name before arriving in Miami.
She proceeded to beat three Grand Slam winners in Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and world number two Iga Swiatek.