Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala is on a roll at the Jiangsu Open in China, and she’s not slowing down. The 20-year-old top seed powered her way into the quarterfinals after a commanding straight-sets victory over Japan’s Mei Yamaguchi on Thursday.
Eala wasted no time in the opening set, dismantling Yamaguchi 6-0 with a fearless display of aggressive tennis. Her forehand was firing, her serve locked in, and her court coverage left the Japanese star scrambling. In just over half an hour, the first set was in the books — and the message was clear: Eala meant business.
The second set wasn’t as smooth, though. Yamaguchi, determined not to be steamrolled, found her rhythm and pushed Eala into longer rallies. But every time the Japanese player threatened a comeback, Eala’s composure shone through. Mixing patience with power, the Filipina closed out the set 6-3, sealing her ticket to the quarterfinals.
This victory comes just days after Eala defeated Belarusian Aliona Falei in a tight two-setter, 6-3, 7-5, in the round of 32. That hard-fought win clearly sharpened her confidence, and it showed in her more dominant performance against Yamaguchi.
Next up for Eala is China’s Lu Jiajing, who herself advanced after beating India’s Riya Bhatia 6-4, 6-0. With the home crowd on Lu’s side, it promises to be an intense showdown — but Eala’s current form suggests she’s more than ready for the challenge.
Beyond the wins, there’s something even bigger at stake: Eala’s ranking. Currently sitting at No. 58 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) live rankings, her quarterfinal run at Jiangsu is projected to propel her to a new career-high of World No. 56. That’s a huge milestone for the young Filipina, who continues to break barriers for Southeast Asian tennis on the global stage.
For fans back home, Eala’s run is more than just a tennis story — it’s a story of resilience, pride, and the rise of a new generation. Every match she plays adds to her growing reputation as one of the brightest young stars on tour.
If she keeps this momentum, not only could Eala push deeper into the Jiangsu Open, but she may also set herself up for even greater success in upcoming tournaments. With her mix of raw talent, mental toughness, and a fearless drive to win, the sky is the limit.
The quarterfinals await. Can Alex Eala keep her dream run alive? Tennis fans — in the Philippines and around the world — will be watching closely.
