Filipino tennis star Alex Eala etched her name in history after winning her first Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) championship at the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico early Sunday (Philippine time).
The 20-year-old sensation overcame a shaky start against Hungary’s Panna Udvardy, rallying from a one-set deficit to clinch a thrilling 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory at the Grandstand Caliente. With the triumph, Eala became the first Filipino to lift a WTA trophy.
Eala’s resilience shone brightest in the second set, where she fought through intense rallies and saved multiple break points to level the match. In the decider, she surged to a 4-2 lead, briefly faltered, then regrouped to seal the final two games and complete the comeback.
The Guadalajara crown adds to Eala’s growing list of achievements, which already includes five International Tennis Federation (ITF) singles titles and the 2022 US Open girls’ trophy. Her last title came in July 2024, when she swept both singles and doubles in Spain’s W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz.
This breakthrough marks another highlight in her stellar 2025 season, following her dream run at the Miami Open, a runner-up finish at the Lexus Eastbourne Open, and her first-ever Grand Slam main draw win at the US Open.
Before the final, Eala endured a grueling stretch — dispatching American Kayla Day in the semifinals, while also surviving back-to-back matches in a rain-affected round earlier in the week.
Eala’s campaign continues as she eyes another title at the Sao Paulo Open in Brazil, scheduled from September 8 to 14.
