Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala powered through tough weather conditions and a second-set deficit to defeat Dutch challenger Anouk Koevermans, 6-3, 6-4, in the rain-delayed Round of 32 at the 2025 Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal.
Eala, 19, and currently ranked world No. 72, showed poise and resilience on the clay court. Down 2-4 in the second set after a 24-hour rain delay, the tournament’s top seed roared back to win four straight games and complete the straight-sets win.
The match initially paused at 3-2 due to a downpour, then resumed briefly before being postponed for a full day. Undeterred, Eala returned the next day with renewed energy to close out the match against the 21-year-old Koevermans.
Fresh off a breakthrough semifinal finish at the Miami Open, Eala is using the Portugal event to fine-tune her game ahead of the French Open, where she’s expected to compete in the main draw for the first time.