Alexandra Eala advanced to the Philippine Women’s Open quarter-finals on Wednesday after defeating Himeno Sakatsume in straight sets.
Eala was clinical against her Japanese opponent, winning five of her seven break-point opportunities before closing out the match 6-4, 6-0.
Eala, the second seed in Manila, will face fifth-seeded Camila Osorio in the last eight.
The Filipina has become one of the most popular figures on the WTA Tour since her breakout performance at the 2025 Miami Open.
The 20-year-old enjoyed an excellent 2025 campaign following her success in Florida, winning her first Grand Slam match and becoming the first Filipina in history to break into the WTA top 50.
On Monday, Eala was congratulated for her recent successes by the Philippines House of Representatives.
The Philippines House of Representatives congratulate Alexandra Eala
In a message on the Philippines House of Representatives‘ X [formerly Twitter] account, Alexandra Eala was commended for her efforts at the 2025 US Open and 2025 Guadalajara W125k event.
The post read: “The House adopted House Resolution number 660, resolution congratulating and commending world tennis champion Alexandra “Alex” Maniego Eala for her historic and outstanding performances in the 2025 United States Open Women’s Singles Main Draw held at Flushing Meadows, New York City from August 18 to September 7, 2025, and in the 2025 World Tennis Association Guadalajara 125 Open held in Guadalajara, Mexico from September 2 to 7, 2025.”
At the 2025 US Open, Eala stunned 14th seed Clara Tauson to become the first player from the Philippines to win a Grand Slam match in the Open Era.
Remarkably, Eala trailed 1-5 in the final set against Tauson, before launching an almighty comeback. Eala eventually won the contest 6-3, 2-6, 7-6.
Eala’s US Open run was ended three days later when she lost to Cristina Bucsa in straight sets.
Shortly after, Eala won her first WTA 125 title by defeating Panna Udvardy at the 2025 Guadalajara 125 Open final. By doing so, she became the first Filipino to win a WTA 125 event.
Eala gets her revenge
Three years ago, Himeno Sakatsume won her only previous match against Eala, defeating the Filipina 6-0, 6-3 at the Japan Open Tennis Championships in Osaka.
On Wednesday, Eala avenged that loss, levelling her record at 1-1 with Sakatsume.
Eala faces Camila Osorio in the next round. Osorio, the world number 84, lost in the Australian Open first round to Ann Li.
Eala and Osorio have never played each other before in a professional tennis match.
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