Alex Eala off to strong start at Oeiras Open, dispatches Dutch foe

FILE–Alex Eala of the Philippines celebrates a point won against Jessica Pegula during their match on Day 10 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP

MANILA, Philippines–Riding high after her Miami Open breakthrough, Alex Eala picked up where she left off with a strong first round at the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal on Tuesday (Manila time).

Eala showed why she’s the top seed in the WTA 125 tournament by sweeping a game Anouk Koevermans of the Netherlands, 6-3, 6-4 in the rain-delayed match to reach the Round-of-16.

READ: Alex Eala begins clay campaign as Oeiras Open top seed

The match was halted Monday due to downpour with Eala trailing 2-4. Playing with more zest at the resumption, Eala wasted little time to dispose of Koevermans in her season debut on clay.

The 19-year-old Eala, the world No. 72 in the WTA rankings as of Monday, is player the best tennis of her young career.

READ: Alex Eala: Philippines’ smash hit on path toward tennis stardom

Eala is coming off a historic campaign at the Miami Open where she reached the semifinal round as wild card.

The Filipino tennis sensation knocked off three Grand Slam champions on her way to the semifinal where she fell short against world No. 3 Jessica Pegula in three grueling sets.