Alex Eala stays perfect against Arianne Hartono, opens Guadalajara 125 with commanding win

Alex Eala showed once again that Arianne Hartono remains a familiar and favorable matchup, as she cruised past the Dutch player, 6-2, 6-2, to begin her campaign at the Guadalajara Open 125 in Mexico on Wednesday (Philippine time).

The 20-year-old Filipina, seeded second in the draw, extended her head-to-head dominance over Hartono to a spotless 4-0. Each time they’ve met, Eala has walked away the winner, and Wednesday’s performance was no different — decisive, composed, and done in just an hour and nine minutes.

Eala, ranked No. 75 in the world, set the tone early by racing to a 3-1 lead in the opening set. Though Hartono briefly pulled one game back, the Filipina quickly stamped her authority, taking the next three games to seal the first set, 6-2. 

The second set was tighter in the early stages, with Hartono hanging on to level at 2-2. But once again, Eala shifted gears, reeling off four straight games to finish the contest and underline her mastery over the world No. 187.

This victory continues a trend that has defined their budding rivalry. Earlier this year, Eala defeated Hartono twice — first in Canberra, Australia, and later in Bengaluru, India, both in straight sets.

Winning start for Alex Eala in the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico

She takes down Arianne Hartono and sets up a clash with Varvara Lepchenko next.

Let’s go Alex!

Video courtesy: Rizza Eala | via @DYANCASTILLEJO pic.twitter.com/0lJZMnl2fp

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) September 3, 2025

Their very first meeting came in the semifinals of the ITF Roehampton tournament in 2023, where Eala prevailed and went on to lift the title, one of five professional crowns she has collected in her young career.

For Eala, the win was a strong rebound after her historic run at the 2025 US Open ended in the second round just last week. Returning to the WTA 125 circuit, she wasted no time regaining momentum and reasserting herself as one of the brightest young stars in women’s tennis.

The Filipina star now advances to the round of 16, where she will take on American veteran Varvara Lepchenko, currently ranked No. 122. 

With her confidence high and her record against Hartono still unblemished, Eala enters the next round aiming to continue her climb in the WTA rankings and add another chapter to her breakthrough 2025 season.

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