By Edwin Rollon

Alex Eala brushed aside an early injury scare and delivered a dominant performance, rolling to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Russia’s Alina Charaeva late Monday night to ignite the crowd at the Philippine Women’s Open presented by Coca-Cola Philippines at the newly refurbished Rizal Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.

Japan's Sakura Hosogi /Photo: Philippine Women's Open / PhilTA

Japan's Sakura Hosogi outplayed hometown bet Stefi Marithe Aludo 6-1, 6-2, on Sunday to advance to the main draw of the inaugural Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 125 Philta-Philippine Women's Open starting today at the newly renovated Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

By Edwin Rollon

EVEN as the nation pins its hopes on her in the Philippine Women’s Open, Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala said her main goal goes beyond winning the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 tournament — it is to inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes to dream big and work hard.