Alex Eala Dominates Opener with Straight-Sets Win at Jingshan Open

Filipino tennis star Alex Eala began her campaign at the Jingshan Open in China with a solid performance, defeating Belarus’ Aliona Fei in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, to move into the round of 16 of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 tournament.

Eala, currently ranked world No. 58 and the tournament’s top seed, showcased both her poise and power in her opening match on Tuesday. Playing her first event since the Sao Paulo Open, the 20-year-old wasted no time establishing control against Fei, who sits at No. 322 in the WTA rankings.

The Filipino ace made a blistering start in the opening set, racing to a 3-0 lead with aggressive baseline play and steady service games. Although Fei managed to narrow the gap by winning two of the next three games, Eala remained composed and closed out the first set, 6-3, relying on her precision groundstrokes and tactical variety.

The second set, however, proved to be more tightly contested. With both players holding serve early, the score reached 4-4, setting up a pivotal ninth game. Eala dug deep during the extended rally exchanges, breaking Fei’s serve to pull ahead, 5-4.

Just when it seemed Eala was poised to finish the match, Fei responded with a stunning counter, blanking the top seed in the 10th game to equalize at 5-all.

Instead of faltering under pressure, Eala elevated her play in the crucial closing stages. She tightened her service game, dictated the rallies, and swiftly secured the last two games to seal the victory in one hour and 38 minutes.

The win sends Eala confidently into the tournament’s round of 16, where she continues her bid for a second WTA title. Her breakthrough came last year at the WTA 125 Guadalajara Open, where she made history as the first Filipino to capture a WTA singles crown.

Fresh from her stint in the Americas — with tournaments in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil — Eala is now shifting her focus to the Asian swing of the tour. The Jingshan Open marks the beginning of this leg, and she is determined to build momentum in pursuit of another championship.

Her performance against Fei also reflects the steady growth she has demonstrated since training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, where she has developed a more complete game, balancing her natural athleticism with improved mental toughness.

These qualities were on full display in Jingshan, particularly in the tight second set where her ability to reset and dominate the final stretch made the difference.

As the tournament progresses, Eala will face increasingly tougher competition, but her opening-round victory sends a clear message: she is prepared to contend.

Filipino fans, who have followed her remarkable rise from a junior prodigy to a world-ranked professional, will be watching closely as she continues to chase another milestone.

For Eala, the Jingshan Open is more than just another stop on tour — it is an opportunity to solidify her place among the sport’s rising stars and reaffirm that her ambitions on the WTA stage are well within reach.