Alex Eala eyes revenge against Himeno Sakatsume in PH Women’s Open Round of 16 clash

A familiar name stands in Alex Eala’s path once again, but the circumstances surrounding this rematch could not be more different.

Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume booked her place in the round of 16 of the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open after navigating a tough opening-round encounter, setting up a showdown with the tournament’s biggest local draw at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. 

It is a pairing rooted in history, but one shaped heavily by how far Eala has come since they last crossed paths.

Back in 2023, Sakatsume held the upper hand, dispatching Eala in straight sets at an Osaka tournament.

At the time, Eala was still climbing, learning her way through the pro circuit. Fast forward to this week, and the narrative has flipped. 

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NEXT SHOWTIME IN MANILA IS SET

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala is ready to make another statement in front of the Filipino crowd as she takes on Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume in the Round of 16 of the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open.#AlexEala #PhilippineWomensOpen #WTA125Manila pic.twitter.com/CMbSpKLMNZ

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) January 27, 2026

The Filipina now arrives as the world’s No. 49 player, carrying the weight of expectations — and the backing of a home crowd eager to see her take the next step.

Eala’s opening statement in Manila was emphatic. She swept past Alina Charaeva, 6-1, 6-2, in a performance that underlined both her growing confidence and her comfort playing on home soil. It was the kind of win that suggested a player not just surviving on tour, but dictating terms.

Sakatsume, currently ranked No. 140, earned her own momentum by outlasting compatriot Nao Hibino, 6-3, 7-5, showing composure when the match tightened late. That victory set the stage for a rematch that now feels less like a repeat and more like a reckoning.

With the Centre Court spotlight fixed firmly on them and a not-before 6 p.m. start on Wednesday, the Eala–Sakatsume clash promises more than just a spot in the quarterfinals. 

It is a measuring stick of progress, belief, and the growing sense that Eala’s story is entering a new chapter — one written in front of her home

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