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It wasn’t the outcome she and her fans wanted, but Alex Eala will still take away a lot of positives from the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open.
The dream of winning a professional title in front of her countrymen will have to come at another time for Alex Eala after Camila Osorio ended her run at the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open with a clinical and composed 6-4, 6-4 win in their quarterfinal clash at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The Colombian just had a little more in crucial stages of the match, which saw a total of 10 service breaks between both players. And unlike Eala’s two previous opponents, Osorio seemed to revel in the energy of the home crowd, which once again filled Center Court on a cool, clear Thursday night.
“Well, if I’m honest, I love it,” Osorio said after the match. “I love the energy. Even though it wasn’t for me, I love how you guys are very passionate and how you… I’ve got nothing to complain.
“It was very nice to see you cheering for her. I was just trying to do my game at the end of the day. It’s only us two on the court, so I was just trying to focus on what I had to do. And thank God, it worked out.”
Although the result stung, Alex was gracious in defeat, acknowledging that her opponent was simply better on the court.
“I think Camila is a very consistent player. I also think that she’s very smart on court. I think she changed the rhythms and she never really allowed me to be in a comfortable position. In the end, it’s everyone’s goal is to make the other person uncomfortable. I think she executed really well.
“I definitely think I had my chances in some moments. (Thursday), she played better than me in those moments. I think that’s just something I can work on moving forward.”
Osorio credited the win to her mindset.
“I think I was very calm,” said the Colombian who won the US Open girls’ singles title in 2019, three years before Alex won it. “It gave me more clarity on how to perform my game plan. Even though in those situations when it was like 40-15 for me and she would come back, I was just thinking what I have to do, focus on my targets.”
Looking at the bigger picture, Eala was very pleased with the huge turnout of Filipino fans for this tournament, the first-ever WTA tournament to be held in the country.
“This tournament, although it’s not yet done, I think it’s been a great success. Just the turnout of people, seeing how much they’ve enjoyed, hearing the feedback from other players and from people in the WTA, I think it couldn’t have turned out better for a first edition and I’m so happy that I got to be a part of it. I’m so happy that I was able to see it unfold.”
And of course, Alex acknowledged the support of the crowd, especially in defeat.
“I think it really cushions the blow. I think playing in front of crowds like this that are passionate and that support you makes losses… It’s a double-sided sword, I think. On one end, it does cushion the blow because you know that they’re there for you and they support.
“On the other hand, it hurts a little more and it’s a little harder to accept because you want to do the best for them. But yeah, I think I gave it my all today and there were no regrets, so I’m happy about that.”
Even though Eala fell short of her goal at the Philippine Women’s Open, she’s exiting the tournament with the positives in mind.
“I think it was an overall good week. Of course, I’m disappointed about (the loss). I definitely think I’ve had better days, but it’s just how it is. I have to accept it, and there’s always next week.”
“I think, of course, there were certain aspects of my game that just didn’t show up today. I think there were certain things I really could have done better, but it doesn’t have to be a big deal. I think I have some good things to take away as well from this week in general.
“But yeah, we take it in stride and move on. I just do my best to learn from what I can this match.”
Images from PHILTA/Philippine Women’s Open