MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Filipino tennis star Alexandra “Alex” Eala kicked off her campaign in the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open with a commanding victory, electrifying home fans and setting the tone for a strong run in the country’s first WTA-level event.
Eala dominated Russia’s Alina Charaeva with a 6-1, 6-2 win in the Round of 32 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, advancing comfortably to the second round and showcasing powerful baseline play and control from the first serve.
What Is the Philippine Women’s Open? 🏆
The Philippine Women’s Open is a WTA 125 tournament, making it the first Women’s Tennis Association-sanctioned event ever hosted in the Philippines. Scheduled 26-31 January 2026, the tournament is part of the WTA’s Challenger tier, drawing up-and-coming talents alongside seasoned pros to compete on outdoor hard courts in Manila.
This milestone event marks a major step for tennis in the Philippines — a dream long championed by local tennis officials and athletes alike.
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Eala’s Winning Start 🇵🇭
Playing before a passionate local crowd, Eala lifted the spirits of fans with a convincing straight-sets win in her first match, setting her on track for deeper rounds in the tournament.
Her start reflects both her international experience and the confidence gained from a breakthrough 2025 season, during which she became the first Filipino to capture a WTA title at the Guadalajara 125 Open and broke into the WTA Top 50 rankings — historic accomplishments for Philippine tennis.
What’s Next for Alex and the Tournament 📅
Philippine Women’s Open continues: Eala now advances to the Round of 16 and will look to build momentum as the draw heads toward quarter finals and finals later this week.
Looking beyond Manila: After the Philippines Open concludes, reports suggest Eala may head to bigger WTA events, including potentially the Abu Dhabi Open (a WTA 500 tournament) and other Middle East competitions as part of her 2026 tour schedule.
With every match she plays in Manila, Eala carries not just her own ambitions but the hopes of a nation eager to see Filipino tennis thrive on the world stage.
Sources: (ESPN.com) (ABS-CBN) (Philstar.com) (GMA Network) (SunStar Publishing Inc.)
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