Filipina tennis star Alex Eala continues her upward trajectory in the professional tennis circuit, entering the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal as the tournament’s top seed. The 19-year-old, currently ranked a career-high World No. 73, is set to face Dutch challenger Anouk Koevermans (WTA No. 182) in the Main Draw Round of 32 on Monday.
Eala’s rise in the rankings follows a historic run at the Miami Open last month, where she defeated three Grand Slam champions: Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and World No. 2 Iga Swiatek. Her incredible performance ended in the semi-finals with a hard-fought three-set loss to World No. 4 Jessica Pegula, making her the first Filipina to reach the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 tournament—a significant milestone in Philippine tennis history.
As the top seed in Oeiras, Eala is expected to bring her formidable form to the clay courts. This tournament represents a milestone for Eala, being her first appearance as the top seed in a WTA 125 event. Alongside her singles campaign, Eala will compete in the doubles draw, teaming up with Katie Volynets to face Christina Rosca and Carmen Corley on Tuesday.
Looking beyond Oeiras, Eala’s schedule includes participation in the prestigious WTA 1000 Mutua Madrid Open on April 22, followed by events in Vic, Spain, and Italy in May. The string of high-profile tournaments underscores her growing reputation on the international stage.
Eala has expressed her gratitude for the support of her fellow Filipinos, saying that she aims to inspire a new generation of tennis players from the Philippines. Her journey continues to bridge gaps and bring the sport closer to Filipino hearts.
With the Oeiras Ladies Open, Eala takes another significant step forward, proving that her meteoric rise is no fluke. Expectations remain high as she balances the weight of being a top seed with her relentless pursuit of excellence.
