Alex Eala triumphs vs. Russia's Alina Charaeva, 6-1, 6-2, at the WTA Philippine Women’s Open at the Rizal Memorial Tennis court in Manila on January 26, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
MANILA (UPDATED) -- Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is off to a dominant start in her campaign in the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open.
Eala trounced Russia's Alina Charaeva, 6-1, 6-2, in front of a huge home crowd on Monday night at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center to progress to the second round of the tournament.
It was a sensational home debut for the 20-year-old Eala, who took care of business against world No. 142 Charaeva to the delight of Filipino fans.
READ: Alex Eala to face Russia's Alina Charaeva in Round of 32
"Gusto ko lang magpasalamat sa inyong lahat na nandito kayo," a delighted Eala told the crowd after her win. "Mahirap ibahagi 'yung nararamdaman ko ngayon, kasi matagal ko na 'tong pinapangarap. Maraming salamat."
Eala repeatedly found her mark with down-the-line forehands to frustrate Charaeva, with the Filipina breaking her in the fourth and again in the sixth game of the opening set.
With Eala serving, Charaeva showed great grit and threatened to break the Filipina. Eala scored back-to-back winners, however, before Charaeva committed an error in her return to hand the home favorite a comprehensive win in the first set after just 24 minutes.
Charaeva won the first two games of the second set before Eala broke her in the third game. There was a nervous moment ahead of the fourth game, with Eala needing a medical timeout before she returned to the court -- with her right thigh wrapped -- to applause from the home crowd.
She initially struggled with her movement, but displayed her trademark resolve and held her serve to tie the frame at 2-2.
From there, it was all Eala, as the Filipina cruised past Charaeva and booked her place in the next round in an hour and 16 minutes
"I'm in a good moment of my career," said Eala, whose meteoric rise in 2025 helped inspire the country's hosting of the WTA 125 tournament. "I want to say that I'm going up, I'm at my best ranking now."
Eala will play the winner of the first round match between Hibino Nao and Sakatsume Himeno.
'FULL CIRCLE'
Eala's participation in the Philippine Women's Open was confirmed after her early exit in the Australian Open, where she had drawn massive crowds to her matches and even her practice sessions.
But for the up-and-comer, there is something particularly special about playing at home and seeing firsthand the impact that her success has had on her sport.
"I think it's such a full circle moment to see how far tennis has come in the Philippines," she said in her on-court interview. "I think playing matches and seeing my two worlds collide kumbaga, being in Manila and the WTA Tour, and seeing it come to life is so full circle and so emotional for me because it's allowed me to reflect on how far I've come.
"It really makes me proud of myself," she added.
All eyes will be on Eala as she continues her campaign in her home tournament, but she says she can handle the additional pressure of playing in the Philippines.
"It's nothing compared to the pressures that regular everyday Filipinos have to face providing for their families," she said. "It's nothing compared to what my parents have sacrificed to bring me here."
RELATED VIDEO: