Filipina tennis star Alex Eala battled through rain delays and a tough opponent to outlast Poland’s Katarzyna Kawa, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, in the WTA125 Suzhou Open Round 1 in China.
Seeded fourth, Eala showed grit and composure in the two-hour, 27-minute clash, finally sealing the win with a decisive late break.
The match served as redemption for the 19-year-old, who lost to Kawa at the W60 Templeton tournament in California three years ago.
Ranked WTA No. 58, Eala now advances to the Round of 16, where she faces Belgium’s No. 106 Greet Minnen, eyeing her fourth consecutive quarterfinal appearance.
The victory further cements Eala’s momentum as she continues to rise in the world tennis rankings.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 1, 2025
