WHAT was once just a pipe dream for Alex Eala has come true when she makes her WTA 125 home debut at the Philippine Women’s Open.
Played in the refurbished courts of Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila, where the 20-year-old spent years grinding through practices and tournaments, the country's first WTA tournament marks another milestone for the rising star.
READ This is Eala's reminder to home fans as PH hosts first WTA event
For the first time since she hit the tennis headlines by reaching the semifinals of the WTA 1000 Miami Open in late March, Eala is back in familiar surroundings playing before home fans on Monday against Russian Alina Charaeva.
Even her opening foe is familiar. Charaeva is a name that takes her back to 2020 when Eala was just beginning her transition to the pro ranks while still competing in juniors ranks.
Back then, Charaeva handed Eala a straight-sets loss, 6-3, 6-3, at the W15 Melilla in Spain on Clay court, at a time when the Filipina had yet to crack the WTA rankings.
Six years later, the circumstances have flipped. Eala is now the world's No. 49 ranked player while Charaeva is No. 163. The home heroine is also the tournament's second seed.
Eala is fresh from an Australian Open main draw first-round loss to Alycia Parks, 6-0, 3-6, 2-6, while Charaeva failed to qualify as she was defeated in the qualifiers by Rebeka Masarova, 3-6, 7-6(2), 6(5)-7.
“I have met her. She's a very nice person and a great player. So, I'm just going to go. I've done everything I can to do the best of my ability to prepare. So, I'm going to go, and do my best,” Eala said of Charaeva.
More than the matches, it is the moment, and the setting, that Eala is savoring.
On Sunday afternoon, Eala filled the stands when she practiced for the last time at the RMTC center court. She is expected to do the same in every single game she plays before leaving to campaign overseas.
Eala is determined to do well, and excited as well to play the role of ambassador and tournament host.
“It's great to see all the people that I'm familiar with on tour, to have them here, and welcome them to the Philippines,” she added.
Eala and Charaeva are slated to meet on Monday, with first serve expected around 7:00 p.m.
Other matches start at 10:00 a.m.
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