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.