Metro Manila, Philippines – All eyes will be on the brightest Filipino tennis star right now as the Philippine Women’s Open main draw swings to action on Monday, Jan. 26, in Manila.
Seeded second in the tournament, Alex Eala takes center court in the first-ever WTA event held in the country. She will face world No. 163 Alina Charaeva of Russia in the Round of 32 at 7 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Eala and Charaeva faced each other back in 2020, with the Russian player prevailing in straight sets.
But a lot has changed since.
Eala, ranked 49th in the world, has won a WTA title and main draw appearances in all four grand slam tournaments.
The winner of their match will battle the winner in the all-Japanese contest between Nao Hibino and Himeno Sakatsume in the Round of 16.
The Philippine Women’s Open will run from Jan. 26 to 31.
