Alex Eala defeats Charaeva in the first round of the Philippine Women's Open

Alex Eala's long-awaited return to Philippine soil could not have gone any better.

In her opening match of the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Monday, January 26, the 20-year-old Filipina tennis star defeated Russia's Alina Charaeva, 6-1, 6-2. The win marked Eala's first professional match in the Philippines and her first competitive appearance in the country in eight years.

Eala first competed at the same venue as a 12-year-old junior in the 2018 PHINMA-PSC International Juniors Championship. Now ranked world No. 49, she returned as a polished professional, welcomed by a sold-out crowd eager to see the country's top tennis talent.

From the start, Eala set the pace, breaking early and dominating with depth and consistency. After a brief medical timeout and a 0-2 deficit in the second set, she regained control, winning six straight games to secure a decisive victory.

The match held deep emotional significance as Eala played in front of family, supporters, and a passionate Filipino crowd. "It really holds a special place in my heart. It's my first professional match at home, and I was able to enjoy it with family and fans," she said.

Ahead of her next match against a Japanese opponent, she plans to focus on training and recovery. "My greatest strength is my mindset. Being Filipina on tour makes me unique, and I'm proud to carry the flag," she said.

Eala also highlighted the tournament's impact on tennis in the Philippines. "This is a great platform for tennis to grow. It's uplifting to see people genuinely enjoying and connecting with the sport," she said.

The tournament continues on Tuesday, January 27, with the second wave of main-draw matches, including Croatia's Donna Vekic, whom Eala has previously defeated at the Auckland and Kooyong Classics.