Alex Eala beats Varvara Lepchenko, Nicole Fossa Huergo, Advances to Guadalajara 125 Semifinals

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by Misha Cruz

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala clinches a double victory to advance to the semis of the Guadalajara Open.
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala clinches a double victory to advance to the semis of the Guadalajara Open. Photo: Facebook.

Alex Eala is on fire in Mexico! The 20-year-old Filipina tennis star battled through not one, but two matches in a single day to punch her ticket to the semifinals of the Guadalajara Open 125.

Her day started with the resumption of her rain-delayed Last 16 clash against veteran American Varvara Lepchenko. She had been down a set and fighting for survival, but managed to dig deep and rally back, showing her trademark grit. She took control late in the decider to seal a 6-7 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-3 comeback win — a true test of her mental toughness on the big stage.

But she wasn’t done yet. Just hours later, Eala was back on court for the quarterfinals against Italy’s Nicole Fossa Huergo. 

Despite a shaky start where the Italian led 5-3 in the first set, the Filipina showed her composure once again. She stormed back, forced a tiebreak, and dominated it 7-2 before racing through the second set for a 7-6 (2), 6-2 straight-sets victory.

With those wins, Eala now sets up a semifinal showdown with American Kayla Day, who earlier stunned third seed Emiliana Arango of Colombia in straight sets.

What makes this run even more special? Eala entered the tournament as the second seed wild card and now stands as the last remaining seeded player in the draw. She’s proving why she’s one of the brightest rising stars in women’s tennis.

Alex Eala.
Alex Eala. Photo: X.

This is also another chance for the Filipina pride to chase history. After finishing runner-up at the Eastbourne Open back in June, Eala is eyeing not just another WTA final appearance — but her first-ever WTA title.

From rain delays to back-to-back battles, Eala has shown nothing but resilience, composure, and that fighting spirit that Filipinos love to see.

Next stop: the semis. One step closer to glory.

Do you think Alex Eala can go all the way in Guadalajara and capture her maiden WTA crown?