September 8, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — In an evening to recollect in Guadalajara, Alex Eala ended her seek for a primary WTA (Girls’s Tennis Affiliation) crown in her younger profession – and the primary for Philippine tennis.
And it may simply be the primary of many down the street for the Pinay phenom, who is barely 20 years previous.
Eala pulled off a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 comeback win over Hungary’s Panna Udvardy to reign supreme within the WTA125 Guadalajara Open Saturday evening on the Panamerican Tennis Middle in Zapopan, Mexico.
The No. 2 seed Filipina bucked a sluggish begin and a close to shutout within the first set, slowly however absolutely heating up for a bounce-back within the second, after which sustaining the momentum to take the match and the historic championship in two hours and half-hour.
Alex Eala — https://www.instagram.com/alex.eala/
New floor for Eala
As Eala drove residence the profitable level, historical past was made for the nation, with the nation celebrating a primary championship of a Philippine wager in a WTA occasion.
In her conquest of the Guadalajara tourney, Eala earned a money prize of $115,000 or round P6.5 million, only a week after profitable $154,000 or roughly P8.7 million with a second-round end within the US Open in New York.
“First title,” posted Eala on social media with a photograph of her sporting a Mexican hat because the ruler of Guadalajara.
“To everybody who got here right here right now, mga kababayan, maraming, maraming salamat,” stated Eala of her resounding victory felt and heard from Mexico to the Philippines and all over the world.
President Marcos hailed Eala, saying the entire nation shares her triumph.
“Historical past has been written by Alex Eala as she turns into the primary Filipino to win a WTA singles title,” Marcos stated in a publish on social media.
In celebrating Eala’s success, Marcos renewed his dedication to spend money on long-term sports activities growth program.
“We’ll do the whole lot we will in order that extra Filipino athletes can comply with in these footsteps and present the world the expertise and coronary heart of Filipinos,” he stated.
“Alex Eala is a WTA Champion! What an evening in Guadalajara! She’s now the primary Filipino – man or lady – to win a WTA singles. Goosebumps. Pure satisfaction,” stated the Rafael Nadal Academy in an announcement, pleased with the achievement of their scholar, graduating from the academy of the Spanish tennis legend solely in 2023.
“Congrats Alex Eala to your first WTA championship. I’m joyful and pleased with what you might be reaching for your self and for the Philippines,” stated Nadal.
Eala, ranked No. 75 within the WTA, almost blew a 5-3 lead within the second set however confirmed grit and resilience to salvage the set which proved to be the jump-off level to her rise all the best way to the highest – a steady enchancment for the Filipina who went down overwhelmed in a earlier WTA250 remaining towards Australia’s Maya Joint final June within the Eastbourne Open in England.
Eala dropped a 4-6, 6-2, 6-7 (10-12) heartbreaker then, unable to capitalize on 4 championship factors.
However there’s no stopping Eala from profitable this time. Within the deciding set versus Udvardy, at 4-3, Eala powered her method to three straight sport factors for the clincher.
She has received 5 titles in her budding profession, together with a junior singles Grand Slam crown within the 2022 US Open and a doubles title within the 2020 Australian Open, earlier than hovering to new heights within the WTA Tour.
Along with her newest win, Eala climbed to No. 61 within the WTA reside rankings with 1054 factors. — Helen Flores
