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Alexandra Eala

She is a professional tennis player from the Philippines, currently ranked No. 56, the highest in her nation’s history. She was the first Filipina to play at Wimbledon. She won the 2022 US Open girls’ singles title, reaching a WTA Tour-level final at Eastbourne, and the Miami Open semifinals.

Live dogs for sale behind Rajin market in North Korea. Photo: SCMP

SCMP Highlights

China retaliates on US sanctions; North Korea’s dog meat advisory: 7 highlights

From Chinese hotpot giant Haidilao’s burger brand to Filipino star Eala’s maiden WTA win, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

7 Aug 2026 - 12:15PM

Fifa World Cup

Opinion | Why underdogs like Alexandra Eala, Cabo Verde, Dear You fascinate us

7 Aug 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

First Filipino WTA winner Eala backed by sporting pedigree, unstoppable spirit

6 Aug 2026 - 3:58PM

WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

‘Really, really proud’ Eala makes history, first Filipino to win WTA singles title

‘Oh my gosh, winning a [WTA] 500, it’s insane. It’s an incredible milestone for me,’ the 21-year-old says after claiming Washington Open title.

4 Aug 2026 - 1:01PMvideocam

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines beat Jessica Pegula of the United States in the final of the Washington Open. Photo: AFP

WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala stuns Zheng Qinwen in Washington Open debut

Another Chinese player, Wang Xinyu, fared better, saving three set points to beat 17-year-old American qualifier Julieta Pareja.

29 Jul 2026 - 2:47PM

French Open

French Open: Sabalenka thrives in heatwave as Southeast Asians Eala, Tjen exit

Ex-world No 1 Daniil Medvedev struggles in conditions before bowing out, as do China’s Zhang Shuai and Zhang Zhizhen.

26 May 2026 - 9:54PM

French Open

‘SEASters’ Alexandra Eala, Janice Tjen bring Southeast Asian pride to French Open

Filipino Eala and Indonesia’s Tjen, both in the top 50, bring an ‘incredible fan base’ with them, but are still finding their feet on clay.

20 May 2026 - 4:15PM

Alexandra Eala, who turns 21 the day before Roland Garros starts, is the first player from the Philippines to break into the top 50. Photo: AFP

Australian Open

Australian Open: Djokovic sparkles as China’s Shang causes upset, Eala bows out

Serb begins quest for 25th grand slam title in fine form, Chinese former world No 47 makes good start, but Filipino favourite is knocked out.

19 Jan 2026 - 9:33PM

Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open

Hong Kong Open: staying focused the key for Fernandez as she beats Wang

Canadian opens campaign with flawed display on centre court, while Belinda Bencic and Alexandra Eala also progress to the next round.

29 Oct 2025 - 9:07PM

Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open

Wild card Ng within moments of shock win at Prudential Hong Kong Open

Maggie Ng on verge of victory against player ranked 1,000 spots above her, but China’s Lu Jiajing regains control at death.

25 Oct 2025 - 5:39PM

Maggie Ng came close to pulling off a huge upset in the Prudential Hong Kong Open. Photo: Dickson Lee

Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open

Hong Kong Open: former winner Leylah Fernandez among 4 new faces after pull-outs

The 2023 winner will be joined by Tokyo Games champion Belinda Bencic, Sofia Kenin, Maria Sakkari after Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka withdraw.

18 Oct 2025 - 5:58PM

Canada’s Leylah Fernandez hits a return in her win over Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the semi-finals of the Japan Open in Osaka on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open

Naomi Osaka, Alexandra Eala to headline Hong Kong Open in October

Former world No 1 and rising star from the Philippines among first names to be revealed for WTA 250 event at Victoria Park.

4 Sep 2025 - 8:54PM

US Open (tennis)

US Open: Alexandra Eala, Janice Tjen join big guns in kicking off second round

Filipino Eala will battle Spain’s Cristina Busca, while Indonesian Tjen faces former champion Emma Raducanu in New York.

27 Aug 2025 - 7:00PM

US Open (tennis)

US Open: Wong happy to embrace moment, ready ‘to go all-in’ for Walton clash

Historical significance of victory not lost on Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong as he readies for second round in New York.

26 Aug 2025 - 10:12AM

Coleman Wong serves against Aleksandar Kovacevic in the first round of the men’s singles at the US Open. Photo: Reuters

US Open (tennis)

Filipino tennis ace Alexandra Eala ‘so grateful’ after making history at US Open

Epic comeback to beat No 14 seed Clara Tauson makes her the first player from the Philippines to win a grand slam match in Open era.

25 Aug 2025 - 6:05PMvideocam

Alexandra Eala celebrates after earning a historic first-round victory over Clara Tauson in the US Open. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Fame and celebrity

Meet Alexandra Eala, the first Filipina to reach Wimbledon’s main draw

The tennis star has gone head to head against greats Iga Świątek and Varvara Gracheva in high-stakes solo matches, but she also loves a game with No 1 doubles player Coco Gauff.

14 Jul 2025 - 11:10AM

Wimbledon

Zheng Qinwen: Wimbledon defeat ‘just another match I lost on grass’

Fifth seed knocked out in first round for the third year running, but says she won’t let it ‘get in my head’.

2 Jul 2025 - 10:28AM

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Alexandra Eala

China retaliates on US sanctions; North Korea’s dog meat advisory: 7 highlights

From Chinese hotpot giant Haidilao’s burger brand to Filipino star Eala’s maiden WTA win, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why underdogs like Alexandra Eala, Cabo Verde, Dear You fascinate us

First Filipino WTA winner Eala backed by sporting pedigree, unstoppable spirit

‘Really, really proud’ Eala makes history, first Filipino to win WTA singles title

‘Oh my gosh, winning a [WTA] 500, it’s insane. It’s an incredible milestone for me,’ the 21-year-old says after claiming Washington Open title.

Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala stuns Zheng Qinwen in Washington Open debut

Another Chinese player, Wang Xinyu, fared better, saving three set points to beat 17-year-old American qualifier Julieta Pareja.

French Open: Sabalenka thrives in heatwave as Southeast Asians Eala, Tjen exit

Ex-world No 1 Daniil Medvedev struggles in conditions before bowing out, as do China’s Zhang Shuai and Zhang Zhizhen.

‘SEASters’ Alexandra Eala, Janice Tjen bring Southeast Asian pride to French Open

Filipino Eala and Indonesia’s Tjen, both in the top 50, bring an ‘incredible fan base’ with them, but are still finding their feet on clay.

Australian Open: Djokovic sparkles as China’s Shang causes upset, Eala bows out

Serb begins quest for 25th grand slam title in fine form, Chinese former world No 47 makes good start, but Filipino favourite is knocked out.

Hong Kong Open: staying focused the key for Fernandez as she beats Wang

Canadian opens campaign with flawed display on centre court, while Belinda Bencic and Alexandra Eala also progress to the next round.

Wild card Ng within moments of shock win at Prudential Hong Kong Open

Maggie Ng on verge of victory against player ranked 1,000 spots above her, but China’s Lu Jiajing regains control at death.

Hong Kong Open: former winner Leylah Fernandez among 4 new faces after pull-outs

The 2023 winner will be joined by Tokyo Games champion Belinda Bencic, Sofia Kenin, Maria Sakkari after Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka withdraw.

Naomi Osaka, Alexandra Eala to headline Hong Kong Open in October

Former world No 1 and rising star from the Philippines among first names to be revealed for WTA 250 event at Victoria Park.

US Open: Alexandra Eala, Janice Tjen join big guns in kicking off second round

Filipino Eala will battle Spain’s Cristina Busca, while Indonesian Tjen faces former champion Emma Raducanu in New York.

US Open: Wong happy to embrace moment, ready ‘to go all-in’ for Walton clash

Historical significance of victory not lost on Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong as he readies for second round in New York.

Filipino tennis ace Alexandra Eala ‘so grateful’ after making history at US Open

Epic comeback to beat No 14 seed Clara Tauson makes her the first player from the Philippines to win a grand slam match in Open era.

Meet Alexandra Eala, the first Filipina to reach Wimbledon’s main draw

The tennis star has gone head to head against greats Iga Świątek and Varvara Gracheva in high-stakes solo matches, but she also loves a game with No 1 doubles player Coco Gauff.

Zheng Qinwen: Wimbledon defeat ‘just another match I lost on grass’

Fifth seed knocked out in first round for the third year running, but says she won’t let it ‘get in my head’.

Opinion | Why underdogs like Alexandra Eala, Cabo Verde, Dear You fascinate us