On the evening of April 17, 2025 (PH date and time), Alex Eala suffered an upset loss to world No. 137 Panna Udvardy of Hungary in the Round of 16 at the Oeiras Open 2025.
No Fairytale Runs
The first-time semifinalist of the previous Miami Open suffered elimination at the hands of the 26-year-old Panna Udvardy as she won two straight sets.
Eala was trailing most throughout the 1st set until the pride of Hungary got into a momentum to win it. The Philippine superstar had a better performance to begin the 2nd set as she led 2 – 0. But the veteran experience of Udvardy became handy as she dispatched her opponent.
Final score: 7 – 6 and 6 – 4
New Court? Different Story
After Eala’s breakthrough accomplishment in the recent Miami Open 2025, the world No. 72 tennis star took her talents to the clay court for the first time after almost a year in the Oeiras Open in Portugal.
The 19-year-old superstar won her first match against world No. 182 Anouk Koevermans of the Netherlands last April 15. As the Quezon City-born athlete advanced to the Round of 16, things went sideways.
She paired up with ranked No. 80 Katie Volynets of the United States of America in the Oeiras Doubles but immediately lost in their first game against the tandem of world No. 180 Christina Rosca and world No. 112 Carmen Corley. This opening loss meant elimination for the foe-turned-ally duo. It can be recalled that Volynets fought Eala in the Round of 128 of the Miami Open, where the pride of the Philippines went victorious.
Next Target: Madrid, Spain
Alex’s stint at the Oeiras Open may have been short and disappointing, but all of her attention will now be shifted as she will participate in the WTA 1000 Madrid tournament, which will be played from April 21 to 27.
With this, it could only mean one thing. Filipino tennis fans can’t wait to watch her give another potential historical run.
