Alex Eala Cruises Past The Netherlands' Arianne Hartono to Kick Off Guadalajara Open

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by Misha Cruz

Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala beats The Netherlands' Arianne Hartono in the Guadalajara Open.
Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala beats The Netherlands' Arianne Hartono in the Guadalajara Open. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Alex Eala is wasting no time making noise in Mexico. The 20-year-old Filipina tennis star launched her Guadalajara Open campaign with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Dutch rival Arianne Hartono on Wednesday morning (PH time).

It was all business from the start for Eala, who stormed to a 3-1 lead in the opening set and never loosened her grip. In the second set, things looked tight at 2-all—but that’s when the world No. 75 flipped the switch. The Rafa Nadal Academy product rattled off four straight games to seal the match in just one hour and nine minutes.

The win continues Eala’s mastery of Hartono, marking her fourth straight triumph over the Dutch standout. For Filipino fans watching closely, it’s another reminder of just how far Eala’s game has matured on the WTA tour.

Dutch tennis star Arianne Hartono.
Dutch tennis star Arianne Hartono. Photo: Getty Images.

Next up, she faces a veteran test: 39-year-old American qualifier Varvara Lepchenko in the round of 16. With experience on her side, Lepchenko is expected to be a tricky opponent, but Eala’s confidence is clearly riding high after this strong opener.

This latest win comes on the heels of Eala’s historic US Open breakthrough, where she stunned the tennis world by becoming the first Filipino to win a singles match at a Grand Slam in the Open Era. Her thrilling three-set victory over world No. 14 Clara Tauson turned heads globally, even though her campaign ended in the second round against Spain’s Cristina Bucsa.

Eala’s road back to top form has been fueled by determination. She only recently returned from a nagging shoulder injury, yet her level of play already shows the same sharpness and grit that made her one of the brightest young stars in the sport.

And this is just the beginning. After Guadalajara, she’s set to compete at the Sao Paulo Open in Brazil from September 8 to 14, keeping her calendar packed as she continues her push to climb the rankings.

For Eala and her supporters, every tournament feels like another step toward history. Whether it’s delivering clutch wins, breaking barriers, or inspiring the next generation of Filipino athletes, Alex continues to prove that she’s not just participating on tour—she’s here to make her mark.