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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.

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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

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

ABS-CBN News

Published May 06, 2026 07:24 PM PHT

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Updated May 07, 2026 01:42 AM PHT

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tennis

Italian Open

Alex Eala

Magdalena Fręch

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