Phenom Hungry For More

Win or lose, Alex Eala is guaranteed to bring home $154,000 or approximately P8.7 million in cash prize.

- By JOHN BRYAN ULANDAY

But money certainly is not on the table for now as she sets her sights on eking out far more invaluable feats in the second round of the 2025 US Open against Spain's Cristina Bucsa at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.

Eala, 20, drew the 27-year-old Spanish in the Round of 64 today after the latter's 6-2, 6-1 trashing of qualifier Claire Liu from the United States in their own first-round duel.

Game time is still to be determined along with the court designation in Flushing Meadows but the "ambitious" Eala is definitely raring to go for more and further breakthrough on the heels of a rousing 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) win over world No. 15 Clara Tauson from Denmark.