Eala bucks slow start, outlasts Udvardy to bag maiden WTA 125 title

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

It was two months ago when Alex Eala had the chance to become the first Filipina to win a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) championship title.

However, the 20-year-old tennis phenom lost in a thrilling three-set grand final encounter against Maya Joint, 4-6, 6-1, 6-7, during the Lexus Eastbourne Open in the United Kingdom.

Since that missed opportunity, a slow-burning fire ignited Eala.

Fast forward to Sept. 7, 2025, the Filipina ace finally reaped the fruits of her labor, pulling off a come-from-behind victory over Hungary’s Panna Udvardy, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, and made history as the first Filipina to claim a WTA 125 championship title in the Guadalajara Open in Mexico.

All the sweat, tears, and countless days of training paid off. You earned it, Alex.

It wasn’t the start that Eala wanted after a series of unforced errors and sloppy first-ball returns rewarded Udvardy with freebie points.

A sight of frustration and disbelief was immediately seen in Eala’s camp, as the rising star just couldn’t gather any momentum and rhythm that saw the Hungarian jump ahead in a jiffy for a 1-0 lead.

Fueled by the cheers of the crowd, Eala flipped the script at the start of the second set and revived her killer mentality, starting with her heavy forehand bombs.

Unlike the first set where Eala’s signature down-the-line winners always fell under the net, the stalwart adjusted her contact point, resulting in a more precise hitting angle.

After the extra step to the left, Eala piled up the points, cashing on her rejuvenated forehand stroke that went from flat to effective.

It was all that Eala needed.

Moments after reclaiming her groundstroke advantage, Eala put up an absolute cinema of high-level tennis display, outgunning Udvardy in the battle at the baseline with more power and decisive power hitting.

Udvardy had her standout moments in the third set after saving two break points to inch closer with a one-set deficit, 4-3, but Eala handled her business with style and scored a crucial break point to cap off her WTA campaign with a 2-0 scoring run.

Despite not scoring a single service ace in the match, Eala wrapped up her title win with 101 points won, including six service breaks and 44 on the return.

“This win is a dream come true,” Eala said during her postgame interview.

“I am incredibly proud to represent the Philippines and to bring home this victory. I hope this inspires other young Filipinos to pursue their dreams.”

Puso, talino, galing, at determinasyon! Isang pag pupugay para sa ating kampyon, Alex Eala! Mabuhay ka!