Alex Eala faces a Japanese player in PWO Round of 16

HOME FANS have nothing to worry with regards to the fitness of their lone remaining bet in the 2026 Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 125 Philippine Women's Open (PWO).

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Alexandra “Alex” Eala assured that she’s fine and as ready as ever to go on a deeper campaign in the Round of 16 on Wednesday after a right leg injury scare in a rousing opener win against Alina Charaeva of Russia much to the delight and standing ovation of the enormous Filipino crowd.

“There was a bit of discomfort but it’s nothing serious. Physical pain is part of an athlete’s lifestyle,” said Ms. Eala after a brief exit midway through her 6-1, 6-2 first-round win on Monday night at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center here.

“It’s a part of the job so we have to find ways to best manage that and not let it affect us mentally.”

Due to said pain, Ms. Eala called for a medical time out for about 10 minutes trailing 1-2 in the second set but came back like nothing happened, closing out the WTA No. 163 Russian foe with four straight wins capped by a love in the eighth game for an electrifying win in only 76 minutes of action.