MANILA — Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala continued her impressive campaign in the 2026 Italian Open after advancing to the Round of 32 in Rome on Thursday.
The 20-year-old rising star defeated China’s Wang Xinyu, 6-4, 6-3, in the Round of 64 to extend her strong showing on clay courts ahead of the French Open.
Eala earlier survived a tough opening-round battle against Poland’s Magdalena Fręch, pulling off a gritty 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 victory that highlighted her composure and resilience under pressure.
Following her opening-round triumph, Eala’s Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) ranking reportedly climbed to No. 38, further cementing her status as one of the sport’s fastest-rising young talents.
After an early exit in the Madrid Open, Eala appeared more comfortable in Rome, where she has been training extensively at the Foro Italico complex in preparation for the clay season’s biggest tournaments.
With back-to-back victories in the Italian Open, Eala has quickly gained attention from fans and analysts alike as she continues to build momentum heading into the French Open later this month.
ia/xf
