Filipina tennis player Stefi Aludo during her match against Angeline Alcala in the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open, January 24, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- Filipina teenager Stefi Aludo is drawing inspiration from the country's top tennis star as she moves closer to the main draw of the inaugural Philippine Women's Open.
Aludo, 17, dominated her compatriot Angeline Alcala, 6-1, 6-0, in the first-ever WTA match in the Philippines held at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters after the match, the Agusan del Sur native said Alex Eala's presence motivates her to go all the way and reach the main draw.
READ: Stefi Aludo is winner of first WTA matchup in PH, dominates compatriot Alcala
"Yung dream ko din po ay maging kagaya ni ate Alex [Eala]. Yun po talaga yung dream ko. Super grateful po ako na nandito siya, maglalaro siya. So magiging inspiration ko po siya sa tomorrow's laban ko po," she said.
Aludo said she and her teammates including Tenny Madis were able to speak with Eala on Friday, before her first practice in Manila.
"Yung first practice po niya dito andun po kami, sinalubong po namin siya. And then sinabi niya sa amin was excited ka na ba, excited na ba kayo? So yun excited na kami ate. So yun lalaban kami for the help ni ate Alex," she added.
Aludo relished the opportunity to play in the qualifiers of the first-ever WTA 125 tournament in the country.
"Hindi ko in-expect na ganito yung magiging ganito yung performance ko sa first-ever [Philippine] Women's Open. Sobrang saya ko po talaga and then yun nakawa ko yung chance and then yun ginagapang po talaga all the way," she said.
For the 17-year-old, having WTA tournaments in the country is a huge boost for local players like her, who dream to reach the level of Eala.
"Sobrang laki po nang bagay kasi nagsimula po kami talaga sa dito lang local tournaments. And then yun parang training lang po talaga, and then yun mas madami dinadami po namin yung panalo dito sa locals bago makarating po sa international level," she added.
Aludo will next face Japan's Sakura Hosogi on Sunday for a spot in the main draw.
The Philippine Women's Open main draw will begin on January 26, Monday.