Photo credit: Alex Eala

Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala has made history, becoming the first Filipino to win a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) title, a landmark achievement that has propelled her to World No. 61 in the latest rankings. Her rise is a testament to a hard-fought and masterful performance at the Guadalajara 125 Open, where she battled through a challenging field to claim the championship.

Eala's path to the trophy was anything but easy. The journey began with a commanding victory over Arianne Hartono, winning 6-2, 6-2. She then faced a stern test in the Round of 16 against Varvara Lepchenko, overcoming a one-set deficit to secure a thrilling 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 comeback win.

Carrying that momentum, she dispatched Nicole Fossa Huergo in the quarterfinals with a 7-6, 6-2 score, before moving on to a decisive semifinal clash. There, Eala delivered a dominant performance against American Kayla Day, advancing to the final with a straight-sets win, 6-2, 6-3.

The final match against Hungary's Panna Udvardy proved to be the ultimate test of her resilience. After dropping the first set 1-6, Eala dug deep, showcasing remarkable poise and determination to stage a stunning comeback. She clinched the second set 7-5 and took control of the decider, winning 6-3 to seal her first WTA title.

Her historic triumph in Guadalajara represents a significant leap forward, as she jumped 14 spots from her previous ranking of 75th. Eala's victory not only marks a new personal best but also writes a new chapter for Philippine tennis on the world stage.