Alex Eala shrugs off injury scare to win historic opener at Philippine Women’s Open

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Alex Eala gave the Filipino crowd exactly what it came for, delivering a statement win in her long-awaited professional debut on home soil at the Philippine Women’s Open on Tuesday night.

The second seed overwhelmed Russia’s Alina Charaeva in straight sets, showcasing control, poise, and resilience in front of a sold-out Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Eala dictated play from the opening point, striking deep from both wings and forcing her opponent into rushed decisions. The opening set slipped away from Charaeva in just 24 minutes as the Filipina seized full momentum early.

The mood shifted briefly in the second set when Eala requested a medical timeout while trailing 2-1. The pause sent a ripple of concern through the partisan crowd packed into the 2,000-seat venue.

Alex Eala pumps her fist after scoring a point against Alina Charaeva on the way to a 6-1, 6-2 last night in the opening singles round of the Philippine Women's Open at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. [photo credit: Philippine Women's Open | PhilTA] — Alex Eala pumps her fist after scoring a point against Alina Charaeva on the way to a 6-1, 6-2 last night in the opening singles round of the Philippine Women’s Open at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. [photo credit: Philippine Women’s Open | PhilTA]

Eala flips the script after medical pause

Bandaged but unbothered, Eala returned with renewed intensity. She reeled off six consecutive games, breaking Charaeva repeatedly with relentless baseline pressure and pinpoint shot placement.

The match ended after one hour and 16 minutes when Charaeva sent a forehand long following a barrage of unanswered attacks. The victory marked a symbolic moment for Philippine tennis as Eala won her first professional singles match in the country.

Hosts endure mixed results on opening day

Eala’s triumph stood out as the lone bright spot for local players in the WTA 125 tournament backed by the Philippine Sports Commission. National teammate Tennielle Madis was eliminated by Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawankaew after a competitive opening set.

Elizabeth Abarquez also exited early following a straight-sets defeat to Japan’s Mai Hontama. Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee produced the tournament’s first upset by knocking out seventh seed Simona Waltert.

Camila Osorio of Colombia and Ukraine’s Yuliia Staradoubtseva both advanced, while multiple Filipino pairs bowed out in the opening doubles matches of the competition organized by the Philippine Tennis Association and sanctioned by the Women’s Tennis Association on Tuesday, January 28.