Alex Eala Powers into Guadalajara Open Final, Beats Kayla Day, One Step Away from History

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by Misha Cruz

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala beats American Kayla Day to enter the Guadalajara Open final.
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala beats American Kayla Day to enter the Guadalajara Open final. Photo: Manila Bulletin.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is on the brink of a career milestone and Philippine tennis history as she stormed her way into the Guadalajara Open final with a commanding win over American Kayla Day, 6-2, 6-3, early Saturday morning (Manila time).

The 20-year-old sensation, currently the country’s brightest hope in women’s tennis, needed less than 90 minutes to take down the World No. 418 and book her spot in the championship match. The victory now sets her up for a historic showdown against Hungary’s Panna Udvardy, ranked World No. 134.

Eala had a shaky start, falling behind 0-2 in the opening set, but once she found her rhythm, there was no stopping her. She strung together an incredible run of eight straight games, flipping the script to secure the first set, 6-2, and jump ahead 2-0 in the second.

Day fought back briefly, holding serve and breaking Eala to even the score at 2-all, but the Filipina quickly regained control. Eala unleashed her trademark baseline power and consistency, reeling off three straight games to take a commanding 5-2 lead. Although Day managed to hold in the next game, Eala refused to let momentum slip. She sealed the match in style with a forehand return winner, sending the crowd buzzing and herself into her first WTA final since June’s Eastbourne Open.

USA's Kayla Day.
USA's Kayla Day. Photo: Getty Images.

That Eastbourne campaign ended in heartbreak as she fell to Maya Joint in a nail-biting finish. But this time, Eala has her eyes firmly on the prize—a maiden WTA crown that would cement her place among the rising stars of women’s tennis.

Her opponent in the final, 26-year-old Udvardy, earned her spot by beating Russia’s Maria Kozyreva, 6-3, 6-4. Both players will be hungry for their breakthrough, but Eala carries with her the weight of a nation eager to see its first WTA champion.

Alex Eala.
Alex Eala. Photo: WTA.

With every serve, every rally, and every winner, Eala continues to inspire Filipino fans worldwide. And now, just one match separates her from rewriting Philippine tennis history.