Alex Eala Stunned by Czech Qualifier Tereza Valentova in Japan Women’s Open

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by Raymund Tamayo

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala.
Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala. Photo: Facebook.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala suffered a tough opening-round loss at the Japan Women’s Open in Osaka on Tuesday, bowing to Czech qualifier Tereza Valentova, 6-1, 6-2.

Valentova, ranked World No. 78, dictated the pace from start to finish, needing just under an hour and a half to dismantle the 20-year-old Eala, who entered the match at a career-best No. 54.

The 18-year-old Czech carried her momentum from the qualifiers, where she ousted Alina Charaeva and Greet Minnen, and showed no signs of slowing down against the fan-favorite Filipina.

For Eala, it’s another early exit following her loss in the Wuhan Open qualifiers last week to Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima. Still, her steady climb in the global rankings remains a testament to her progress and resilience on the pro circuit.

Tereza Valentova.
Tereza Valentova. Photo: US Open.

The Rafa Nadal Academy product now shifts her focus to next week’s Guangzhou Open in China, aiming to regain her rhythm after solid semifinal and quarterfinal runs in Jingshan and Suzhou, respectively.

Eala’s journey continues. Every setback fuels her pursuit to break deeper into the world’s elite ranks. Filipino fans, as always, will be cheering her on.