Japan's Sakura Hosogi /Photo: Philippine Women's Open / PhilTA

Japan's Sakura Hosogi outplayed hometown bet Stefi Marithe Aludo 6-1, 6-2, on Sunday to advance to the main draw of the inaugural Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 125 Philta-Philippine Women's Open starting today at the newly renovated Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

By Edwin Rollon

EVEN as the nation pins its hopes on her in the Philippine Women’s Open, Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala said her main goal goes beyond winning the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 tournament — it is to inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes to dream big and work hard.

Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala took center stage on the eve of the WTA 125 Championships, posing with his father Mike Eala, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio, and Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) secretary-general and Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco during a walk-through of the newly refurbished Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.

Kaye Ann Emana (third from left) earned a wild card slot to the Philippine Women's Open qualifying round after winning the PHILTA qualifying meet.

UAAP Season 87 Tennis MVP Kaye Ann Emana of UST outplayed varsity rival Elizabeth Abarquez of NU 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 last Wednesday night at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center to book a ticket to the qualifying draw of the Philippine Women’s Open.

L-R: Gregorio and Tiangco

MORE high-ranking players, including Filipino pride Alex Eala, are expected to arrive in the country for the prestigious Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 tournament set from January 26 to 31 at the newly renovated Tennis Center inside the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

The reconstructed center court.

Philippine sports officials will begin operational testing of the newly renovated courts at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Monday, January 12, just two weeks ahead of the historic Philippine Women’s Open (PWO).