Camille Naredo

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala in action at the Italian Open, May 6, 2026. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala in action at the Italian Open, May 6, 2026.

Article (news)

Italian Open

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778080355790IMG_2184.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipina tennis star Alex Eala in action at the Italian Open, May 6, 2026. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Filipina tennis star Alex Eala in action at the Italian Open, May 6, 2026. <em>Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- Filipina tennis star Alex Eala battled to the second round of the Italian Open after a tough 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 win over Poland&#x27;s Magdalena Fręch on Wednesday in Rome.</p><p>Eala appeared headed for a straightforward win after shutting out Fręch in the opening frame, but the Polish veteran shifted the momentum in the second set and forced an equalizer. </p><p>Fręch surged to a 3-1 lead in the decider but Eala broke her to level at 3-all, then held her serve for a 4-3 advantage. Fręch held back to knot the count, but Eala showcased great poise in the next game, battling back from a break point to claim a crucial 5-4 lead.</p><p>She then broke Fręch to close out the match -- a special result for the Filipina who was thrilled to get a first win in Rome.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/5/6/alex-eala-physically-mentally-strong-for-match-vs-frech-in-rome-0852">READ: Alex Eala physically, mentally strong for match vs Frech in Rome</a></div><p>&quot;I think I&#x27;ve come a long way from last year. So yeah, it really means a lot because I think my team and I have really been working the past few weeks. And I think that we&#x27;ve been able to put out just some things that we&#x27;ve been working on in competition,&quot; said Eala.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m really proud of myself because there were so many moments, especially in the third set, where she could&#x27;ve gone really far,&quot; she added.</p><p>Eala was pleased with her performance in the first set, but acknowledged that Fręch &quot;upped the level&quot; in the second. The third set featured several swings of momentum, but Eala held firm in the clutch.</p><p>She expressed her gratitude to the Filipinos who came to watch her, some of whom skipped work as her match started at 11:00 a.m. in Rome.</p><p>&quot;I was so happy that I saw a lot of Pinoys. I was surprised that I didn&#x27;t think there were a lot of Pinoys here in Rome. But yeah, I&#x27;m very happy. Thank you so much,&quot; she said. </p><p>Next up for Eala is China&#x27;s  Xin Wang, who received a bye to the second round.</p><p>&quot;She&#x27;s a great player and a really great person. I think she&#x27;s super fun to be with. But she&#x27;s got a killer serve, killer ground strokes, very fit. And I think it will be a good match. It will be a good fight,&quot; she said.</p><p>Eala will also play in the doubles, where she will team up with Hailey Baptiste, pending the official draw. -- <strong>report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3rTTIxe4xBg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Filipina tennis star Alex Eala battled to the second round of the Italian Open after a tough 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 win over Poland's Magdalena Fręch on Wednesday.</p>

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala battled to the second round of the Italian Open after a tough 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 win over Poland's Magdalena Fręch on Wednesday.

Tennis: Alex Eala outlasts Fręch, through to round 2 of Italian Open

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

Tennis: Alex Eala outlasts Fręch, through to round 2 of Italian Open

ABS-CBN News

Published May 06, 2026 07:24 PM PHT

|

Updated May 07, 2026 01:42 AM PHT

Read More:

tennis

Italian Open

Alex Eala

Magdalena Fręch

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.