Eala launches bid in Australian Open

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala is out to extend her remarkable campaign in Canberra last week to make more of an impression and soar to new heights in the Australian Open qualifying round beginning today at the Melbourne Park.

Fresh off a semifinal finish in the Workday Canberra International as an unseeded player all the way from the qualifiers, Eala will have her mettle tested once again at 7 a.m. (Manila time) against Croatia’s Janna Fett in Round 1.

Her Final Four run in Canberra was her first ever deep campaign in a top-class WTA 125 tourney.

“I fought hard last week but the path in 2025 has just begun,” posted 19-year-old Filipina pride.

But there will be a higher mountain to climb from there on as she aims to become the first ever Filipina to play in a Grand Slam main draw.

She will net for that dream the grueling three-round, 128-player cast against a familiar rival in 28-year-old Fett, a grizzled veteran with a WTA ranking of No. 136 and 14 pro titles including in the singles and doubles.