Alex Eala turns page to WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open after gritty Australian swing exit 

Alex Eala’s Australian Open journey may have ended earlier than hoped, but the Filipina tennis star is already shifting her focus forward — and back home — with an expected appearance at the upcoming WTA 125 Philippine Open firmly in sight.

That path was cleared after Eala formally closed her 2026 Australian Open campaign on Tuesday, bowing out in the opening round of the women’s doubles event at Melbourne Park. 

Teaming up with Brazilian partner Ingrid Martins, the Filipina showed flashes of control and composure but ultimately fell to the seasoned pairing of Japan’s Shuko Aoyama and Poland’s Magda Linette in a hard-fought three-set encounter, 6–7(3), 6–2, 3–6.

The result underscored both the promise and the growing pains of a partnership still finding its rhythm. Ranked at a career-high No. 134 in doubles, Eala entered the match alongside world No. 80 Martins with momentum and belief — and they showed exactly why in the opening stages.

Eala and Martins stormed out of the gates, racing to a 4–0 lead in the first set and immediately putting pressure on the veteran duo. But experience soon asserted itself. Aoyama, a former world No. 4 and 2023 Australian Open doubles finalist, together with Linette, a 2023 US Open doubles quarterfinalist, calmly clawed their way back into contention.

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‘THANK YOU MELBOURNE!’

Alex Eala shares snaps of her AO campaign after her singles and doubles exit.

“Being able to play here is such a privilege! One that must be earned, but a privilege nonetheless. Learning, growing and enjoying. Thank you Melbourne ”

Alex Eala IG pic.twitter.com/XZG0KDP5uX

— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) January 20, 2026

Earlier in her Australian swing, the now WTA No. 44–ranked Eala as per live rankings,  enjoyed a strong run at the 2026 ASB Classic, reaching the semifinals after beating two former top-20 players in Donna Vekic and Magda Linette before bowing out to Xinyu Wang.

The Filipina then reached another milestone by capturing the Kooyong Classic title, once again defeating Vekic in straight sets, just days before the Australian Open got underway.

While her Melbourne run ended in disappointment, the experience adds another layer to Eala’s rapidly growing résumé — one that now includes main-draw appearances at Grand Slams and steady climbs in both her singles and doubles rankings.

With the Australian Open chapter closed, attention now turns to the WTA 125 Philippine Open, where Eala is set to compete in front of a home crowd eager to watch the country’s brightest tennis hope continue her ascent.

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