Stefi Aludo was a big winner on Saturday in the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open after beating fellow Filipina Angeline Alcala, 6-1, 6-0, to advance to the next stage of the qualifying round.
Stefi Aludo Leans on Big Forehand
Afterward, the 17-year-old tennis player from Agusan del Sur shared with the media that she focused on what she excels at throughout her practices and preparation leading up to the country’s historic WTA event. And that would be her favorite stroke, the forehand.
“Favorite stroke ko po kasi ‘yung forehand, and then ‘yun po ‘yung prinaktis namin every time and all throughout the training po,” Aludo shared. “’Yun po ‘yung pinu-push namin para mag-improve, and then ‘yung backhand naman din po, isinasama din siya.”
The 33rd Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist also credited her coach, Joan Bosch, for her dominant performance.
With the win, Stefi Aludo will next face off against Japan’s Sakura Hosogi, the No. 1 seed in the qualifying round.
Uncharted Territory for Stefi Aludo
Aludo admitted she hasn’t seen her opponent play but is confident she can pull off a win tomorrow with the mentality she is bringing into this tournament.
“Actually, hindi ko pa po siya nakita maglaro, pero same lang po ‘yung mindset ko for today’s match po, which is nothing to lose, and doon po talaga, and gagapang po talaga.”
That nothing-to-lose mentality figures to serve Stefi Aludo well as she faces someone who is No. 298 in the world, while she is but a Grade 12 student living her sporting dream so far.
But if Stefi Aludo can use that favorite stroke of hers, the forehand, to good effect, then she just might continue her journey in this historic WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open.
