Japan’s Sakura Hosogi made an emphatic start to her Philippine Women’s Open campaign on Sunday, January 25, dismantling hometown bet Stefi Marithe Aludo to reach the main draw of the inaugural tournament in Manila. The qualifier showcased her class with a 6-1, 6-2 victory at the newly renovated Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Seeded No. 1 in the qualifiers, the 25-year-old needed just one hour and four minutes to close out the match despite a rain interruption that halted play for half an hour. Hosogi’s consistency and power proved decisive as she controlled the tempo from the opening games.

The win made Hosogi the first player from the two-day qualifying rounds to secure a spot in the WTA 125 main draw, a milestone moment for the tournament supported by the Philippine Sports Commission. It also marked her debut appearance in a WTA-level main draw.

Hosogi dominates qualifiers

Hosogi, a native of Matsue, Japan, entered the event carrying the confidence of seven ITF singles titles. That experience showed as she quickly neutralized Aludo’s variety and dictated rallies with depth and pace.

Aludo, just 17, attempted to adjust by mixing her shots and changing patterns but found few answers against her opponent’s relentless pressure. Despite the lopsided scoreline, the Filipina treated the match as a valuable learning experience against a seasoned international campaigner.

Hosogi admitted to feeling early nerves but expressed relief and excitement after sealing her place in the main draw. The breakthrough win added momentum to her campaign as she steps onto a bigger stage in Manila.

Spotlight shifts to main draw action

Hosogi was joined in the main draw by fellow Japanese Miho Kuramochi and Russian Viktoria Morvayova, who both advanced with straight-sets victories in qualifying. Their progression underscored the international depth assembled for the event’s debut edition.

The Philippine Women’s Open marks the first major project of the National Sports Tourism–InterAgency Committee in 2026, spearheaded by Philippine Sports Commission chairperson Patrick “Pato” Gregorio. The tournament represents a significant boost for elite women’s tennis in the country.

Attention now turns to main draw play, with hometown favorite Alex Eala set to make her long-awaited professional debut on home soil against Russia’s Alina Charaeva. Three more Filipinas—Kaye Ann Emana, Tennielle Madis, and Elizabeth Abarquez—are also slated to compete in the opening round as local interest reaches a fever pitch.