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These Filipina tennis prospects will get a taste of WTA action in the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open.
ALEX Eala’s homecoming won’t be the only local storyline to follow in the Philippine Women’s Open.
As Eala looks to continue her rise on home soil, a number of fellow Filipina players are also expected to play in the Philippines’ maiden WTA event which unfolds on January 24 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Here are the other Filipina netters set to make waves in the Philippine Women’s Open.
Tennielle Madis
As the country’s number two player, Tennielle Madis was awarded a wild card slot for the Philippine Open, joining an initial group that featured Eala and Indonesian ace Janice Tjen.
Although this is Madis’ first WTA tournament, the 18-year-old will enter the Philippine Women’s Open with national team experience, having taken home bronze in the women’s doubles and team event in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games last December.
Kaye Emana
The reigning UAAP co-Most Valuable Player, Kaye Emanas’ Philippine Women’s Open ticket was earned and not given. In a rematch of the UAAP Season 87 finals, the young Emana outlasted National University’s Elizabeth Abarquez, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, to earn her ticket to the tournament’s qualifying round.
That qualifying round slot was reportedly upgraded into a main draw entry for Emanas as she joins Eala and Madis. With UST’s title defense coming up for Season 88, there is no doubt that Emanas will gain significant experience by facing some of the world’s top female tennis players.
Elizabeth Abarquez
A part of National U’s UAAP three-peat, Elizabeth Abarquez is now set to compete in the Philippine Women’s Open qualifiers that takes place from January 24 to 25. Initially denied by Emana, Abarquez’s runner-up finish was upgraded to a qualifiers ticket, giving her one last shot to make it into the main draw.
If the stars do align, then Abarquez may just join Eala, Madis, and Emana once the tournament proper kicks off on the 26th.
Lizette Cabrera
Although she represents Australia, the Philippine Women’s Open will be also be a homecoming for Filipina-Australian netter Lizette Cabrera. A five-time International Tennis Federation (ITF) champion, Cabrera has been competing in the Grand Slams since 2017, and has been a fixture at the Australian Open as a wild card.
However, similar to Abarquez, nothing is guaranteed for the 28-year-old, who will also compete in the two-day qualifiers for a shot to enter the main draw.
Banner images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.