Alex Eala Brings Filipino Pride to Guadalajara Open Finals

Sports | Tennis Posted on 2025-09-06 16:17:57

MANILA – Rising tennis star Alex Eala continues to carry the Philippine flag with pride as she stormed into the finals of the prestigious Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico, defeating American Kayla Day, 6-2, 6-3, at the Panamerican Tennis Center on Saturday morning (Manila time).

The 20-year-old Filipina ace will battle Hungary’s Panna Udvardy for the championship, after Udvardy’s victory over Russia’s Maria Kozyreva, 6-3, 6-4.

Eala’s journey to the finals has been nothing short of remarkable. Ranked World No. 75, she overpowered Italy’s Nicole Fossa Huergo, 7-6 (2), 6-2; American Varvara Lepchenko, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-3; and the Netherlands’ Arianne Hartono, 6-2, 6-2, to secure her spot in the semifinals.

Her opponent, World No. 134 Udvardy, advanced with wins against Mexico’s Jessica Hinojosa Gomez, Czech Nikola Bartnkova, and Britain’s Francesca Jones.

Trained at the prestigious Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain, Eala has already carved history for Philippine tennis. At the 2025 Miami Open, she shocked the tennis world by beating Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek before bowing to Jessica Pegula in the semifinals.

This year alone, Eala has broken barriers: becoming the first Filipino to win a main draw match in the US Open, and reaching her first WTA finals at the Eastbourne Open in June.

From her US Open Junior singles title in 2022 to today’s finals run in Guadalajara, Eala continues to embody the resilience and excellence of the Filipino spirit.

The championship match is set for Sunday morning (Manila time) — another chance for Eala to etch her name in history and bring honor to the Philippines.

NPO News Team

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