“Growing up, it was tough,’’ said Eala, who had never won a match in a Masters event or Grand Slam until this week. “You didn’t have anyone where you’re from to pave the way. I hope this takes the Philippines to the next step.”

That said, there are plenty of budding superstars sticking around to entertain the thousands of fans strolling around the fun-filled grounds.

Last year Paolini surprised the tennis world and herself with two trips to major finals. Suddenly, she couldn’t walk down the streets of Rome without being besieged by autograph and selfie-seekers.

There will be no Sunshine Double champion on the men’s side after Indian Wells titleist Jack Draper ran into another teenage phenom in Jakub Mensik at the Miami Open presented by Itau Saturday afternoon.

The last time Goffin took out a Top 3 player was at the Shanghai Masters 1000 when he vanquished then third-ranked Alexander Zverev, 6-4,7-5 in the round of 16. So Alcaraz makes three Top 3 victims in a row by Goffin, who was ranked 134th last April.

After Emma Raducanu crushed Emma Navarro’s second serve for an inside-out forehand winner to clinch the longest match of the Miami Open presented by Itau, she simply let go of her racket and clasped her hand to her forehead in disbelief.

Nearly double his opponent’s age at 33, Dimitrov enjoyed a career renaissance last year, going 46-18 and winning his ninth title in Brisbane (ATP 250) for the second time to start his season rolling in January.

Next Gen stars Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien shined under the lights Thursday night at the Miami Open presented by Itaú in front of a raucous crowd that had Hard Rock Stadium rocking for the first time this week.

I’m not a teenager anymore but I'm still playing and I'm still in love with this sport and that Miami win in 2007 was my first Masters 1000 category when it was the biggest title.

I think it was a combination of me playing really well; it was really great tennis from me, and maybe her not playing as well.