Photo from Alex Eala’s Facebook Account
April 14, 2025 – Oeiras, Portugal – Filipina tennis star Alexandra “Alex” Eala’s historic debut as the No. 1 seed at the 2025 Oeiras Ladies Open was off to a promising start—until rain stopped play mid-match.
Eala, 19, was leading Dutch opponent Anouk Koevermans 6–3, 2–4 when tournament officials suspended the Round of 32 match due to heavy downpour at the Centro Desportivo Nacional do Jamor. At the time of the stoppage, Eala was serving at 30–0 and appeared poised to mount a comeback in the second set after a dominant first.
According to a video uploaded by the WTA Tour on April 14, 2025, Eala showed early control in the match before rain suspended play. Watch it here.
The match is scheduled to resume Tuesday, April 15, weather permitting.
Currently ranked No. 72 in the WTA world standings as of April 14, 2025, Eala arrived in Portugal riding high from her career-best semifinal run at the Miami Open. Her victories there included stunning upsets over former Grand Slam champion Madison Keys and world No. 2 Iga Świątek, making her the first Filipina to reach the final four of a WTA 1000 event.
This week, she is making headlines again—not only for her impressive form but also as the first Filipina to be seeded No. 1 at a WTA-sanctioned tournament.
About the Oeiras Ladies Open
Held at the Centro Desportivo Nacional do Jamor, the Oeiras Ladies Open is a WTA 125 event and a key stop on the spring clay-court circuit. The 2025 edition runs from April 14 to 20 and offers $168,100 in prize money.
The tournament features a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles field. This year’s lineup includes other notable names such as Katie Volynets (USA), Elisabetta Cocciaretto (Italy), and Anna Bondár (Hungary). Defending champion Suzan Lamens opted not to return, choosing instead to play in Rouen, France.
First held in 2021, the Oeiras Ladies Open has grown in prestige and now serves as an essential preparatory tournament for bigger clay events in Madrid and Rome.
What’s Next for Eala
With the suspended match set to resume Tuesday, fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see if Eala can convert her momentum into a deep run.
A victory in Portugal could further boost her ranking and solidify her as one of the brightest rising stars on the WTA tour.
