MANILA, Philippines – Alex Eala captured her first Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) crown with a stirring comeback against Hungary’s Panna Udvardy, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, in the Guadalajara 125 Open final on Sunday, September 7, 2025 (Manila time).
 |
| Alex Eala rallies past Panna Udvardy to win her first WTA title at the Guadalajara 125 Open, marking a historic milestone for Philippine tennis. Photo courtesy: Facebook/GDL Open |
The 20-year-old Filipina dropped the first set in just 27 minutes but refused to fold.
She steadied her game in the second set and broke Udvardy’s serve in the 11th game to take a 6-5 lead.
Eala then held her serve to force a decider, where she pulled away with confidence.
Udvardy, ranked No. 134, had beaten Eala in Portugal earlier this year.
She threatened again after erasing a 5-4 deficit in the second set but could not sustain her momentum.
Ranked world No. 75, Eala displayed maturity beyond her years in the tense rallies.
She marched to the final by defeating Kayla Day, Nicole Fossa Huergo, Varvara Lepchenko, and Arianne Hartono.
The Guadalajara crown is her biggest achievement as a professional.
It follows a breakthrough 2025 season highlighted by a Miami Open semifinal run.
She also made history at the US Open as the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam main-draw match.
A graduate of the Rafa Nadal Academy, Eala now owns five ITF titles and the 2022 US Open junior girls’ trophy.
Her last professional win came in July 2024 in Spain.
Next up, she heads to Brazil for the São Paulo Open from September 8 to 14.
Eala carries with her not only momentum but also the pride of Philippine tennis.
— The Summit Express